April 28, 2010
Trinity Revealed
Mark 1:1-13
Karen Cramer
Central Truth
At Jesus' baptism, Christ is glorified, and God reveals Himself to the world in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Key Verse | Mark 1:8
"I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8)
Mark 1:1-13
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 1 1:1 Some manuscripts omit the Son of God
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 2 1:2 Some manuscripts in the prophets
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare
3
1:3
Or crying: Prepare in the wilderness
the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately 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; 4 1:11 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved with you I am well pleased.”
The Temptation of Jesus
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Dive Deeper | Mark 1:1-13
A few years ago, I was asked by a five-year-old, “Cosmo, how can Jesus be God, and God be Jesus? It does not make sense. How can they be the same person, but different people?”
How do you explain that to a five-year-old child? And she did not even mention the Holy Spirit! I told my sweet friend that it is similar to your parents: You have a mom and a dad who are two different people, but they are both your parents. This is not the best example, and it does not fully address the Trinity. If you want more clarification, please go to http://www.watermarkradio.com and download the sermon "The Big XII: The Trinity: Who It Is and Why It Matters" (Todd Wagner, September 27, 2009). You will be given more to think about than the five-year-old!
In His baptism by John, Jesus foreshadows the importance of faith in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins. But we also see the Trinity revealed in Mark 1:10 (the Spirit) and 1:11 (the Father). How amazing! Can you imagine yourself being there when John raised Christ from the water? The heavens opened, the Spirit descended as a dove, and the voice of God said, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (1:11) We cannot fully understand how awesome this event was. The Trinity was confirmed: God the Father was in heaven, Jesus was on earth, and the Spirit descended in the form of a dove. What an example of encouragement,
validation, and joy coming from all three Persons of the Trinity. Talk about unity!
As I reflect on this passage, I recognize that my focus is constantly on myself. I am, too often, selfish with my time, money, thoughts, and ambitions. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” What a difference that perspective makes in my daily actions and attitude! When I align my thoughts with His, I become more of a sacrificial servant who is compassionate about the lives and hearts of others.
Discussion Questions
1. If asked, how would you answer the Trinity question? Why does it matter how you answer this question?
2. How are you becoming more like Christ?
3. Where is your life's focus?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. John the Baptist prepared the way for people to meet Jesus. What did John the Baptist tell the people they needed to do (verse 4)?
2. What do we have to do to “meet Jesus”?
3. Have you admitted you are a sinner and need God to forgive you?