Jesus Arrives
For Meditation
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy. Luke begins his with stories about Jesus’ birth. John begins his with some deep theological reflections. Mark begins his gospel with an announcement. Someone has arrived, something has happened!
In this single opening phrase above, Mark makes some audacious claims. First, he calls Jesus “the Christ.” Christ is a Hebrew word that means Anointed One, or Messiah. Mark immediately identifies Jesus as the deliverer that Israel has been waiting for. Additionally, he calls Jesus “the Son of God.” This is not a direct claim about Jesus’ divinity. In the ancient Greco Roman world, many people were titled "sons of God"- rulers, philosophers, heroes. In the Jewish tradition, though, the title Son of God was associated with Israel’s messianic expectations. Israel has failed in its calling as God’s firstborn son, so over time the concept of divine sonship narrowed and became focused on a single person, the Messiah.
But then Mark intensifies his claims. He quotes Isaiah and Malachi, who prophesied that one day the LORD himself will come to visit his people. Mark is claiming that not only is Jesus the Messiah, he is the Lord himself now showing up among his people. No wonder this is such a big announcement!
Mark then tells a couple of stories that back up his claim. First, we see John the Baptist as “the messenger” who is preparing the way for the Lord’s coming. Then we see Jesus himself in the baptism waters, and God himself speaks from heaven to declare Jesus his Son.
Mark is setting up a powerful narrative that introduces an amazing person. He is calling us to sit up, pay attention, and ultimately make a decision about who this person is and if we will follow him. We are invited to learn about the way of Jesus and follow him in this way.
To prepare for worship this week, watch this intro video on the book of Mark from the Bible Project.
Mark 1:1-13
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.