Sunday 08 January 2012

Background

John the Baptist may well have been an odd looking characterwith some strange eating habits (verse 6), but he must have beenvery charismatic. His fame spread far and wide, with people beingdrawn from not only the local countryside but from Jerusalem itself(verse 5). They came to hear what he had to say but also to bebaptized. They were clearly convinced by him of the need for achange in their lives, seeking repentance for the forgiveness oftheir sins (verse 4).

John was such an important figure that all four Gospel writers linkhim to the ministry of Jesus, and they do so as quickly aspossible. In Matthew we have to wait until chapter3, but within a few verses of the first chapter in both Luke's and John'sGospels we encounter John the Baptist. Mark hardlymentions Jesus at all before he tells us about John.

It could be that John was such a well known, important and reveredfigure of the time that Mark wanted to link him quickly to Jesus toenhance his credibility. However John's assertion that he was "notworthy" (v. 7) to do what was regarded as the most menial task fora slave makes it crystal clear that John's successor was farsuperior to him. It was Jesus who was the chosen one.

Mark does not try to explain why Jesus needed to be baptized.Instead the focus for this event was the heavenly confirmation ofwho Jesus was, described through the beautiful image of a dovedescending upon him (verse 10). So now Jesus not only has thebacking of John, the voice from heaven makes it crystal clear thatJesus is the Son of God. From these first few verses Mark's readersare left in no doubt about who Jesus really is.

To Ponder

Why do you think Jesus came to John to bebaptized?

How much importance do you place on confessingour sins and seeking forgiveness? Why?

Give thanks for any moments in your life when youhave felt God's presence descend upon you like a dove.