BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION: THE JORDAN RIVER AND THE WILDERNESS
Mark 1:9-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;[a] with you I am well pleased.”
The Temptation of Jesus
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
God’s Love displayed
These forty days we pray that God will reveal in our hearts his love that He portrayed on the cross. Jesus’ journey begins with his Baptism in the river Jordan. God becoming completely human. He endured this journey that God had ordained for Him.
My understanding of these 40 days
It’s a commemoration, we remember that Jesus took up this task of redemption. His aim was to fulfill the gospel and the prophecies. He came to redeem all that was lost, in bondage and groaning with pain. He came to redeem not only the present but the past and the future. The first step towards this redemption was that he became so vulnerable, humble and meek that he fulfilled all righteousness in order to be a humankind.
Baptism:
Baptism was one of this fulfilment of becoming a Human Being. Baptism is nothing but the cleansing of all our past sins, iniquities. Mark 1: 4 – 5. John’ s baptism was a baptism of repentance. So did Jesus have to repent? No. He was simply fulfilling the obligation of being human, Matt 3: 15 – 17 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”.
Voice of God:
Therefore God opens up the heaven and testifies on His behalf. It is a sight worth watching as the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are all present at the same time. It was a mission that Jesus had to accomplish. He already knew the price, the sacrifice and the pain that he would have to go through.
This is just the beginning of his preparation for the crucifixion.
The voice of God was kind of a seal to the plan. The descension of the spirit was the seal itself. All three of them were in the plan. Jesus was preparing himself to go through this physically but God the Father had to go through this pain in his heart. The Spirit had to suffer too. Why?
All for the love of mankind. Why did God love us so much?
Illustration:
We are his children: Our breath is breathed by God. He made us in His image. We have his characteristic and heart. He wanted to live with us eternally. He wants to communicate with us, have a relationship with him. A relationship that will last forever. God knew we were deceived. We are still deceived. As per the law of God, any kind of sin, or blemish had to be eradicated. How is this going to happen? Someone had to die. Someone needs to be punished.
And that was Jesus. Jesus, not only redeemed us by paying a heavy price, he became the second Adam to change our lineage of sin, 1 Corinthians 15:22. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
It wasn’t about this forty days, it was about eternity. Jesus knew, it’s a an unbearable pain but for a short time. He would soon ascend into heaven leaving his spirit with us.
Wilderness
Wilderness was just a glimpse of what Jesus would face on the cross. He would be left all alone, tackling the evil one by himself. Angels would not be allowed to comfort him throughout this period.
Mark 1: 12 – 13 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. What a sight!! Lonely, deserted, painful, tempted.
Why? All for the sake of redemption. Such a costly price. Such a massive decision. This Sunday is a commemoration of the lent that has begun. But it’s not only these forty days but it’s about Jesus’ great sacrifice and price. It’s the good news that at the cost of an innocent man, I am redeemed. I don’t have to face the wilderness, I don’t have to pay the cost of my wrongdoing. I don’t, because, there’s already someone who has gone before me and has done it on behalf of me. However, it’s a shame, if I still wallow in self pity and sinfulness after knowing this truth.
What should be my response? Is there any way I can repay him? Paul says, for the sake of the gospel, I can do anything and can go to any extent, because, even if I were to die for this sake, I will not regret, because the price paid is much greater than what I am in chains for.
What am I taking back home? The assurance of eternity, a restored relationship and forgiveness. It’s far too much of a price to pay, if I understand that, I believe, my life will not become based on my agenda.
Galatians 3:13 English Standard Version (ESV)
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
He was cursed, dejected and rejected.
What’s my response? This is the gospel my brothers and sisters, that Christ became a curse. He became what we are. But He paid a great cost to redeem us. This lent as we begin may we share this good news to all those who are yet in deception / ignorance and in bondage.
Sandra wife of Virjil . The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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