Baptism And Temptation Series

The Gospel of Mark #2:

Baptism and Temptation

Text: Mark 1:9-13

Thesis: To note the importance of baptism and the way to overcome temptation.

Introduction:

(1) In Mark 1:1-8, John announces the coming of Jesus.

(2) Beginning with verse 9, Jesus arrives to begin His earthly ministry.

Discussion:

I. The Baptism of Jesus

A. Why was Jesus baptized?

1. He was not baptized because He needed forgiveness of sins.

2. According to Matthew 3:15, He was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.”

a. “ ‘All righteousness’ is a reference to God’s plan and purpose for Jesus” (Wessel 621).

b. What is meant by “all righteousness?”

(1) His baptism was an act of identification.

(a) “By His being baptized, He had chosen deliberately and voluntarily to begin associating Himself with us and our plight … At His baptism He began to identify with those of us who are sinners … He was baptized with the baptism of repentance and confession of sin, though He Himself was guilty of none” (Schubert 3). [cf. 2 Cor. 5:21]

(b) Also, this is an example for us.

(2) His baptism was an empowering moment.

(a) In Old Testament times, it was a custom to anoint a king or priest at the time he was appointed to his office” (Schubert 4). [cf. Exod. 28:41; 1 Sam. 15:1; 1 Kings 19:16]

(b) In Luke 4:16-19, Jesus read from Isaiah about His being anointed by the Holy Spirit.

(3) His baptism was a sign of assurance of God’s favor.

(a) The statement from God contained references from Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1.

(b) “By identifying Jesus as God’s Son, Mark recognized his as the true king of the new people of God, the new Israel, which was later called the church” (Brooks 43).

(c) The word ‘beloved’ not only declares affection, but it also carries the meaning of ‘the only one’ (Wiersbe 1:111).

3. “The baptism is the keystone in the life and ministry of Jesus” (Edwards 38).

B. Why should we be baptized?

1. We are sinners (Rom. 3:23).

2. In baptism, the blood of Jesus washes away our sins (cf. Rom. 6:3-5; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12).

II. The Temptation of Jesus

A. Immediately after His baptism, Jesus was “impelled to go into the wilderness.”

1. “No time was spent basking in the glory of the heavenly voice or the presence of the heavenly dove. The servant had a task to perform and He immediately went to do it” (Wiersbe 1:111).

2. After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, Satan tempted Jesus 3 times.

a. In the 1st temptation, Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread (Matt. 4:3).

(1) “The temptation was for Christ to provide his own needs apart from the will of the Father” (Hughes 1:29).

(2) Jesus responded by basically saying: “It is better to starve than to be fed apart from the will of the Father. As his Son I cannot act independently of my Father. I must live by my Father’s Word!” (Hughes 1:30). [cf. Matt. 4:4]

b. In the 2nd temptation, Jesus was tempted to throw himself down and let angels catch him (Matt. 4:5-6).

(1) Satan misquoted Psalm 91:11-12 to say that God would take care of His own in everything.

(a) The verse originally meant that God would be with His own in the righteous things.

(b) Satan was basically saying: You trust God to feed you, trust Him to catch you.

(2) Jesus responded by saying that one is not to test God (Matt. 4:7).

c. In the 3rd temptation, Jesus was tempted to bow down and receive the world (Matt. 4:8-9).

(1) Christ “could win the world without pain – no weeping over Jerusalem, no crucifixion … the temptation was to take the easy way to kingship, apart from God’s will, to be a ‘shortcut savior’” (Hughes 1:31).

(2) Jesus responded by saying that one is worship God alone (Matt. 4:9).

3. Overall, Jesus was tempted in all points like we, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).

4. The key: He was guided by Scripture.

B. Satan will tempt us as well.

1. We are able to overcome temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).

2. We must be led by Scripture to keep from sinning (Psa. 119:11).

3. With God’s help, we may overcome.

Conclusion:

- Will you follow the example of Jesus?