There is a riddle I heard that illustrates an interesting point.   So here goes.

Sarah was born in 1975.  Sarah died in 1975.  Sarah was 32 when she died.   How is this possible?

Now many of you probably know or can even discern the answer.  It’s fairly simple.  However, without more information from somewhere, even if you’re right, you’re guessing.

Sarah's home address was 1975.

Something similar happens with our text today.  Let’s take a look.

Mark 1:9-11 CSB
[9] In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. [10] As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. [11] And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

If we aren’t careful we can skim over one of the most significant events in the Bible just because we don’t readily see the answer to the questions these verses raise.  To truly understand these verses we need some more information.  We gonna go diggin.

Question 1. Why is it important that Jesus came from Nazareth?  Nazareth points out the humble beginnings of Jesus.  Nazareth wasn’t considered by many at all as anything.  The middle of nowhere if you will.

Luke 2:4-7 CSB
[4] Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, [5] to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. [6] While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Now my second question gives the answer as to why those humble beginnings are important.

Question 2.  Why would Jesus need to be baptized by anyone let alone someone proclaiming baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins?  John seems to have the same question.

Matthew 3:14 CSB
[14] But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

Jesus explained the reason to John in Matthew 3.

Matthew 3:15 CSB
[15] Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

To fulfill all righteousness.  What’s that mean?  Look at these verses from John.

John 1:1-2, 14, 17 CSB
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning.
[14] The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
[17] for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

When Jesus was conceived Spirit and flesh combined into unique creation.  A creation that is fully God and fully man.  God gave John the message that man should be baptized and confess their sins.  Because Jesus is fully man he has to be obedient to God and be baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  Humble beginnings, fully God and fully man.  This is the start of something big.

Question 3.  The heavens were torn open?  The word used in the Greek for tore indicates that this wasn’t just the pushing back of clouds or a strange weather anomaly.  It was more than just a hole in the sky.  It was a hole into the realm of God, into heaven.

Question 4. Was the spirit a dove?  I don’t think so.  The text says like a dove.  Doves almost seem to float to the ground when they land.  I think the spirit floated to Jesus like that. 

God himself confirms that the baptism is complete by telling Jesus who He is for everyone to hear.  Everyone there would recognize the significance of baptism in a whole new way.  John may have baptized Jesus in the water but God baptized Him with the Holy Spirit. 

This baptism fulfilling all righteousness is the reason Mark can call Jesus the Son of God in verse 1.  It’s the reason John says that He will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  It’s the reason that Jesus can be given all authority over heaven and earth in Matthew 28:18.  It’s the reason He has the authority to forgive sins.  It’s the reason He loves you and wants too.  The God Jesus has all the authority.  After the baptism, God’s words from heaven, and the spirit upon Him, so does the man Jesus.  This leaves no doubt that Jesus is Messiah and we’re only in verse 11 of chapter 1.  We might have had to dig but, man oh man, what does Mark have in store for us?

Sometimes we have to search for answers but when we find them…  It’ll change the way we see things.  This passage is so significant and yet so easy to just read past.  Please stop and ask the hard questions as you study.  It’s worth it.

Let’s look for more information as we read.

Love in Christ,

Colby