Messianic Secret

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Do not tell anyone about this. . . .” But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and He could not publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to Him. Mark 1:40-45 (NLT)

During His public ministry on earth, Jesus healed many diseases, casted out all kinds of evil spirit, and performed many other miracles. Yet, after these miraculous events, Jesus would often caution and warn the people whom He just healed or performed a miracle to keep silent about who He is or what He had done (see e.g., Matthew 8:3-4; Matthew 9:29-31; Matthew 12:15-16; Matthew 16:20; Matthew 17:9; Mark 1:23-25, 34, 44; Mark 3:11-12; Mark 5:42-43; Mark 7:36; Mark 8:29-30; Mark 9:9; Luke 4:41; Luke 8:56; Luke 9:21; John 6:15). On three separate occasions, Jesus commanded evil (unclean) spirits to silence as these evil spirits recognized Jesus’ true identity as the Son of the Holy God (Mark 1:25, 34; Mark 3:11-12). Also, Jesus ordered silence after four miracles (cleansing of the leper at Mark 1:44; raising of a dead girl at Mark 5:43; healing of a deaf-mute at Mark 7:36-37; healing of a blind man at Mark 8:26). Moreover, Jesus twice commanded His disciples to silence upon their recognition of Him as the Messiah (Mark 8:29-30; Mark 9:9-10). Twice Jesus withdraws from the crowds to escape His detection as the Messiah (Mark 7:24; Mark 9:30). These various people who personally eye witnessed Jesus’ miracles and healing often wanted to make a Messianic claim of Jesus but Jesus would often say “No.” But ironically, the command to silence by Jesus as to His identity as the Messiah often resulted in the opposite: the more Jesus commanded for silence, the more people kept talking about Jesus’ miracles and healing (see Mark 1:45; Mark 5:20; Mark 7:24, 36-37). The people needed a miracle, they were desperate, and they needed Jesus’ help (Mark 1:34). Jesus’ authoritative teaching, healing, actions and bearings all revealed Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and the Son of God.

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more He told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything He does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” Mark 7:36-37 (NLT)

Why did Jesus want to silence the people and not reveal His true Messianic identity? The Holy Scriptures teaches about Jesus’ great popularity with the people (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:28, 45; Mark 3:7-8; Luke 7:17) coupled with His growing opposition from the religious leaders (e.g., see Mark 2:6-7 16, 24; Mark 3:2; 6, 22). Jesus’ full revelation early in His ministry as the long awaited Messiah could have triggered a crisis before Jesus had completed His ministry on earth (Matthew 8:4; Matthew 16:20; Mark 5:19, 43; Mark 7:36; Mark 8:26). Bible scholars commonly called Jesus’ command for silence about His true identity as Messiah the “Messianic secret.” Scholars have given two reasons for explaining why Jesus wanted to hide His true identity during His public ministry.

First in the first century, the Roman government would not tolerate anyone making a Messianic claim. Often, there were others in the first century claiming to be the Messiah and these self-appointed Messianic claims invoked rebellion against the Roman government. So, the quickest way to stop Jesus’ true Messianic ministry was for people to tell a Roman informant or solider that Jesus claimed to be the “Christ” or the “Messiah.” If a Roman official heard the term “Christ,” these Roman officials would have thought of Jesus as a military leader leading an open rebellion against Rome. If Jesus had publicly used “Messiah” of Himself early in His public ministry, He would have ignited political aspirations in His hearers to appoint Him as King to drive out the Roman occupiers. This is precisely the importance of the Jews’ action at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-15). Messiah is the Hebrew word for the Greek word “Christ.” The key term was “Christ.” The name “Jesus Christ” means Jesus the Messiah. There are many titles given to Jesus in the New Testament – Son of God (Mark 1:1; Mark 15:39), Son of Man (Mark 8:31), Prophet (Matthew 21:11), Rabbi or Teacher (John 3:2) and King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37). However, the title Christ is the most politically explosive and politically dangerous title given for Jesus. Because of the false concepts of the Jewish people, who looked for an exclusively national and political Messiah, Jesus did not want to precipitate a revolution against Rome. Other titles given to Jesus, such as Son of God or Prophet would not have any political references or meanings. So, if Jesus said He was the Christ or if the people proclaimed Jesus were the Christ and the Rome informant heard, Jesus would have been arrested immediately. Thus, early in Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus did not openly claim to be the Christ. Ironically, there is only one place in the Gospel that Jesus openly claimed to be the Christ and this is found at Mark 14:61-62 and this is significant Bible passage. Jesus’ self-revelation and admission as Christ eventually lead to His death. The Roman government had no toleration for the Christ. Therefore, Jesus invoked His Messianic secret to allow the continuation of God’s plan of redemption through His sacrificial death on the Cross (Luke 24:21; Romans 3:24-25).

Second, the Gospel writers reveal that everyone in the whole Judean countryside, all the people of Jerusalem, the Galilean region and Gentile regions were talking about Jesus and Jesus was gaining popularity and fame among the people (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:28, 45; Mark 3:7-8; Luke 7:16-17). Essentially, Jesus is a “Rock Star”! Jesus’ miracles, authoritative teachings, casting out of evil spirits, and healing help propelled Jesus’ notoriety among the people. Also, the people were hopeless and suffering and Jesus provided the people salvation. The word “saved” in both the Old Testament and the New Testament means rescue, restoration, and wholeness. Jesus brought the people restoration, mercy, and healing. Sadly, the people did not want to follow Jesus as a faithful disciple but only to get a quick miracle, food, or healing.

Then, calling the crowd to join His disciples, He said, “If any of you wants to be My follower (disciple), you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life (soul), you will lose it. But if you give up your life (soul) for My sake and for the sake of the Good News (Gospel), you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38 (NLT)

Following Jesus as His disciple means placing Jesus first and foremost above all else, even one’s own life (e.g., see Exodus 20:3; Matthew 6:33; Mark 8:34-38; Mark 10:17-23). Jesus said if anyone wants to be His disciple, then one must put aside selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-love and follow Jesus wholeheartedly (Mark 8:34). Anyone who insists on placing oneself first before Jesus will lose life. Only those who “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” will find true life, happiness, and peace (see Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:29-30; Luke 10:27). Jesus is God incarnate (in the flesh) and the fullness of God is within Jesus (John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13). The good promise is the one who abandons his or her life for God (God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit) will find life (Mark 8:34). Following Jesus is not about getting but empting; not about securing but abandoning all for the sake of God’s glory, honor and love.

Even more, Jesus rejected the widely held Jewish view of the Messiah’s Kingship (see e.g., John 18:36; Luke 24:21). During His public ministry, Jesus did not want to stir up the popular, but mistaken, Jewish expectations of a wonder-working Messiah that would arise as King of the Jews and deliver the Jewish people from Roman oppression and bondage and so usher in the Kingdom of God (see Luke 1:68; Luke 2:38; Luke 21:28; Luke 24:21). In the first century, the dominate view of the Christ (Messiah) was that the Christ would be a military and political conqueror. Possibly with the Messianic secret, Jesus wanted first to show by His words and deeds that the true meaning of a Messiah (in contrast to many popular first century notions of a Messiah) (see Matthew 12:17-21).

Jesus had a quiet ministry as God’s Servant to bring justice, hope, repentance, forgiveness of sins, and salvation to all people as Christ the Lord (Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 3:17; John 4:4-42; John 8:3-11; Acts 5:31). However while Jesus was in Gentile (non-Jewish) territory, Jesus encouraged the man healed of many evil spirits to “tell how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19). This statement from Jesus was in marked contrast to Jesus’ exhortation to silence after He performed a miraculous healings (e.g. see, Mark 1:34, 44). In Gentile territory, there was little danger that about His identity as Messiah would insight a riot by the people.

Then, the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him — but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations (people), baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

Nevertheless, once Jesus’ mission from God was completed, Jesus commissioned His disciples (faithful followers) to go and tell the entire world of His identity (Matthew 28:16-20; see also Acts 1:8). Jesus’ divine mission was to be the final sacrifice for human sin. By His sacrificial death and His resurrection, Jesus provided redemption for all people (see Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:24-25; Titus 2:14). Complete human understanding of Jesus’ identity was the Messiah would only be possible after Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 9:9-10). After Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus commissioned His disciples to tell everyone what they has experience. Jesus’ finished work demonstrated His true and full identity as the Messiah!

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:36 (NLT)

The early Jewish church following Jesus’ death and resurrection did not hesitate to call Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 16:16; Acts 2:36; Ephesian 1:1). The Apostle Peter’s first sermon at Pentecost openly acknowledged Jesus the Christ (see Acts 2:36; Acts 4:33). Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection confirmed Him as the true Messiah sent from God the Father (Romans 1:4; Philippians 2:9-11).

Therefore, God elevated Him (Jesus) to the place of highest honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)

References

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Butler, Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary (Broadman & Holman Pub., 1991).

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Book House Company, 2001).

Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002).
Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Who Is Jesus? Jesus Is An Authoritative Teacher and Healer.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis (Ten Cities), Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him. Matthew 4:23-25 (NIV)

After Jesus preached His initial sermon (Mark 1:14-15) and called His first four disciples (Mark 1:16-20), what follows in the Gospels is a series of stories that paints the theological portrait of Jesus not only as the Son of God but as a Preacher, Teacher and Healer (Matthew 4:23-25; see also Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44). The chronological connections of these stories are very loose because the Gospel writers do not provide a day by day account or travel log of Jesus’ public ministry. For example in Mark’s Gospel, Mark will say “sometimes later” and no one knows the exact time. This is common in all four Gospels because the writers do not give us a clear chronology of Jesus’ day to day activities. Instead, the Gospel writers paints Jesus’ theological portrait with their series of stories about Jesus’ public ministry. All four Gospels in the New Testament portrays Jesus as a traveling Preacher, Teacher and Healer that travels from one small village to another and Jesus is accompanied by His disciples (faithful and genuine followers) (Matthew 4:23-25).

Jesus preached the Good News (also called the “Gospel”) of the Kingdom (Luke 4:43-44). The Good News has come to everyone who wanted to hear this lifesaving message. The Gospel is that the Kingdom of God has come – the presence, reign and rule of God came to earth with Jesus. Also, the Gospel is that God is with us and God loves and cares for us (John 3:16; see also Luke 17:20-21). The prerequisites (or requirements) for entrance into the God’s Kingdom included repentance (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15), righteousness (Matthew 5:20), and wholehearted faith (dependence, allegiance, and belief) in God (Matthew 18:3; see also John 3:3).

Jesus and His companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, He went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with real authority — quite unlike the teachers of religious law. Mark 1:21-22 (NLT)

Beginning with Mark 1:21, Jesus and His disciples came to the town of Capernaum and on Saturday (Sabbath) morning and they went into the Jewish place of worship — the synagogue (see also Luke 4:31). The town of Capernaum was Jesus’ headquarters or base of operation during His public ministry in the Galilee region (Matthew 4:13-14). Jesus moved from Nazareth, His hometown, to Capernaum (Matthew 4:12-13). Capernaum is located about 20 miles farther north of Nazareth and situated on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. When the Sabbath day came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach (Mark 1:21). Jesus customarily went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day (Saturday) (Luke 4:16). Jesus was a good Jew and the synagogue was His institution. The synagogue was the center of Jewish worship and could be organized anywhere by ten married Jewish men. Thus, Jesus’ custom of regular worship sets an example for all God’s people.

Mark summarizes Jesus’ ministry by saying “and He was teaching them” (see also Mark 1:21; Mark 2:13; Mark 10:1; Mark 14:49). Throughout Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus was custom to teaching the people (Mark 10:1). Although Mark records far fewer actual teachings of Jesus than the other Gospel writers, there is a remarkable emphasis on Jesus as Teacher. The words “Teacher,” “teach” or “teaching,” and “Rabbi” are applied to Jesus in Mark’s Gospel thirty-nine (39) times. As Jesus was teaching, the congregation was astonished and amazed at His sermon (Mark 1:22; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:32; see also Luke 2:46-48). Gospel writer Mark frequently reported the amazement and astonishment that Jesus’ teaching and action produced during His public ministry (e.g., see Mark 2:12; Mark 5:20, 42; Mark 6:2, 51; Mark 7:37; Mark 10:26, 32; Mark 11:18; Mark 12:17; Mark 15:5). Jesus taught with real authority. He was forthright and confident. Unlike other synagogue teachers, Jesus did not try to prove His sermon points by quibbling and quoting like the religious teachers. Other religious teachers in the synagogue often quoted from well-known rabbis to give their teaching more authority. However, Jesus did not have that need because Jesus is God (e.g., see John 20:28; Romans 10:9; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9). With the fullness of God dwelling in Him, Jesus knew exactly what the Holy Scriptures said and meant as He is the ultimate authority! As God, Jesus taught and spoke as One with divine authority as Jesus’ authority was Himself (Matthew 7:28-29; Matthew 9:6, 8; Mark 1:22; John 7:46). Even more, Jesus’ life was authentic and true. There was no discrepancy in what He said and what He did. Jesus was real! Jesus preached and His life and teaching matched perfectly with no inconsistency. The people observed Jesus’ genuineness and authenticity as His life, teaching and preaching produced “good fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20).

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, “Why are You interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One sent from God!” Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” He ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Mark 1:23-26 (NLT)

In the Jewish synagogue, there was one with “an unclean spirit” (Mark 1:23). This person’s life was controlled and driven by evil and he was suffering and bondage. This scene revealed the powerlessness of the synagogue with the presence of an unclean spirit. Even in the synagogue, this man life was controlled by evil and he was suffering. People with unclean (evil) spirits are not happy people. Such evil spirits could cause mental disorders and other violent behaviors (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-29), bodily disease (Luke 13:10-16) and rebellion against God (Revelation 16:14). The unclean spirit recognized Jesus (Mark 1:24). Jesus authoritatively said to the unclean spirit to “be quiet” and to “come out of the man” (Mark 1:25, 34). This is one of many exorcisms in Mark’s Gospel. There were people in the first century casting out unclean spirits with special charms, special water, and many other long and struggling methods to drive out the evil spirits. However, these people struggled to gain power over evil spirits. In Mark, Jesus simply said “be quiet” and “come out of him!” (Mark 1:25). Jesus simply authoritatively spoke with no necessities of potions, magic charms, etc. and no effort. Jesus’ Word was His authority. The evil spirt immediately responded to Jesus’ Lordship and Kingship (Mark 1:26). Jesus healed not just their physical sickness, but also their spiritual sickness as well. There is no sin, sickness, pain or problem too great or too small for Jesus.

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey His orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. Mark 1:27-28 (NLT)

At Mark 1:27, all were amazed and all began to discuss “who was Jesus.” Jesus’ teaching was not based on scribal authority and unclean spirits obeyed Jesus’ authority (Mark 1:28). Jesus’ fame spread throughout Galilee (Luke 4:36-37). By days end and because of the fame of Jesus, people were bringing their sick, the lame and people filled with evil spirits to Jesus (Mark 1:32-34). There was hopelessness and despair of the people. Jesus healed all kinds of disease and casted out all kinds of evil spirits. Jesus would not let the demons to speak because they recognized Jesus.

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Following Jesus

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed Him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men. Mark 1:16-20 (NLT)

Mark 1:16-20 gives the first account of Jesus’ call of His first four disciples, who were commercial fisherman (see parallel references at Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:2-11; John 1:35-42). These four fishermen were common and ordinary working men and they worked in the very popular fishing industry of the first century. In the first century world, most people ate fish and the fishing industry was very expensive and burdened with heavy taxation from the Roman government. The fishing industry was strenuous and physically demanding work. The men who worked in the fishing industry were not very religious and did not recognize the Sabbath laws or the laws of clean and unclean. Also, fisherman bargained with other fishermen and they often were around all kinds of wicked and dishonest people.

One day as Jesus was walking along the shores at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called four ordinary fishermen while working. First, Jesus saw Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew fishing with nets and Jesus said to the two men, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Mark 1:17 NLT). Another translation said, “Come, follow Me! And I will make you fishermen for the souls of men!” (Mark 1:17, TLB). At once, Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed Jesus (Mark 1:18). A little farther up the shoreline, Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat mending their nets (Mark 1:19). Once again, Jesus He called the two brothers while working, and immediately James and John left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Jesus (Mark 1:20).

Mark uses the term “following Jesus” or “following Me” nineteen (19) times in his Gospel. One of the fundamental purposes of Mark’s Gospel is to help readers understand and accept the call to follow Jesus. “Following Jesus” describes what it means to live in an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Gospels reveal that the call to discipleship is definite and demands a response of total commitment or allegiance to Jesus with a genuine heart devoted to Him above all else (e.g. see also Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:27-28; Luke 14:25-27; Luke 18:28-30). Following Jesus requires right heart motives and not selfish reasons (Mark 8:34). Jesus asks for lifelong allegiance (Luke 9:57-62) as the essential means of doing the will of God (Matthew 12:49-50; John 7:16-18). Most important, following Jesus means genuine repentance (turning from sins and turning to God) and belief (faith and trust) in Jesus (see Mark 1:14-15). In essence, being a disciple is a matter of following Jesus with a willing, obedient, and repentant heart (e.g., see Matthew 4:17; John 13:34-35; John 15:9-17). To follow Jesus for our own selfish purposes would be asking Jesus to follow us.

Even more, those who follow Jesus are promised entrance into God’s eternal Kingdom (see John 3:15-21; John 11:25-26). Also, followers of Jesus receive God’s forgiveness for their sins (1 John 4:9-10; see also Mark 2:7, 10; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 5:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21), and membership into God’s family (John 1:12-13). Followers of Jesus are saved from judgment and condemnation (Ephesians 2:8-9) and obtain eternal life (Titus 3:3-8). Amazingly, becoming a genuine follower of Jesus takes us way from a life of egotism, self-centeredness, and narcissism to a life of honest love of God and love of others (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34-35). As followers of Jesus, we actually become better people and God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28)

These four ordinary men – Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John – called by Jesus did not make excuses or hesitate when called by Jesus. Immediately, these ordinary men left at once and followed Him. Jesus told called these four ordinary men to leave their fishing business and become “fishers of people” (Matthew 4:19) and to help others find God. Jesus was calling these four ordinary men away from their productive business to be productive spiritually by seeking people for God. The God of the universe was fully in Jesus (Colossians 2:9).

When first following Jesus, these four men did not fully understand Jesus’ mission and role as Messiah, Son of God, and King of Israel until after Jesus’ death. These men’ faith often wavered or faltered during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Despite their wavering faith and lack of understanding during Jesus’ earthly ministry, these men became powerful witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and the saving acts of God. Most important, their lives were transformed by God's Holy Spirit. After Jesus' ascension to heaven, these men were filled with God’s Holy Spirit and empowered to continue Jesus’ ministry to the world.

When looking at these four ordinary men who left all to follow Jesus, Christians today would call these four men heroes for following Jesus. In the first century, these men would have been looked upon as shameful and disgraceful. In the first century, a man’s first loyalty was his family in obedience to the Fifth Commandment (see Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). In the first century Jewish world, the Fifth commandment was taken very serious. In that culture, families had no other means or social network to survive without family support. In Rome society, children and older adults were sometimes abandoned if no families were available for care and support. In Jewish society, caring for one’s family were held in high esteemed. So these first disciples who abandoned their families and followed Jesus would have been considered shameful and disgraceful.

Also at this point in Jesus public ministry, who was Jesus? Nowhere at this point had Jesus obtained the level of rabbinic authority although later in the Scriptures Jesus was considered a Rabbi (e.g., see Matthew 26:25, 49; Mark 9:5; Mark 10:51; Mark 11:21; John 1:38, 49; John 3:2, 26). In the first century, one became a rabbi after two significant events. First, one had to apply for admission to the rabbi and the rabbi had to accept the student as his disciple. Second, the rabbi then taught his disciples the oral interpretations of the Law which his disciples memorized. The disciples did not follow the rabbi but the disciples followed the content of the rabbis’ teaching. The first century Jewish world was an oral society and teaching was often passed down through oral communication and then memorized. The Talmud was the written version of the oral interpretation of the Law. Thus, the rabbis passed the oral interpretation of the Law from one disciple to another disciple. Rabbis even taught their students certain ways to prayer as noted in the Gospels with the disciples asking Jesus for a special prayer.

In many respects Jesus differed from the traditional rabbis. In the Gospels, the disciples do not first come to Jesus but Jesus takes the initiative of first calling the disciples. Jesus’ calling of disciples was the very opposite of the way first century rabbis called disciples. Jesus called the disciples to “Follow Me” (Luke 5:27). In the first century, disciples of the rabbis could select their rabbis. Also, Jesus called His disciples during their ordinary fishing duties. As indicated above, a fisherman’s job was very strenuous work and Jesus sought these disciples while working their very strenuous fishing jobs. Also, Jesus’ call to become His disciple is opening ended with the statement “follow Me”. Jesus did not tell these four men to come and follow a particular interpretation of the Law or a body of teaching but to come follow Him as a Person. Jesus’ calling of His disciples were very uncommon in the first century Jewish world. Thus, Jesus’ call of His first disciples was considered radical and not typical of first century rabbis calling their disciples.  Yet Jesus’ calling of these disciples would also be considered a disgraceful event because these first four men left their families and their responsibilities to follow Jesus.

Most important, Jesus’ call of His first disciples reveal the Kingdom of God involves ordinary people taking radical steps towards God. God’s Kingdom is present in everyday and ordinary life. God’s Kingdom arrived in the Person of Jesus (see Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:18-21, 42-43). For these fishermen, the Kingdom of God came in the ordinary daily activities of life even in the pit of working. The incarnation (advent) of Jesus reveals God is omnipresent every day. The Kingdom of God also has a future and not-yet-realized dimension that awaits Jesus’ second return (Mark 14:25, 61-62). The ultimate judgment of evil, the final establishment of justice, and the extermination of disease, poverty, and even death will find their fulfillment when Jesus returns in glory (see Mark 13:24-27), judges the world (Mark 8:38; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62) and resurrects the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11). Thus, the Kingdom of God arrived at the first advent (incarnation) of Jesus and will be finalized at Jesus’ second return.

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed Twelve -- designating them apostles -- that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the Twelve He appointed: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. Mark 3:13-19 (NIV)

Mark 3:13-19 gives Mark’s account of the choosing of the Twelve (see parallel references at Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13). The four lists of the Twelve in the New Testament are sometimes called “disciples” and “apostles”. The exact names of the Twelve disciples in the New Testament are not consistent but varied in Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13. In the early church, the names and identities of the Twelve apostles were not important. Instead, the early church emphasized there were Twelve apostles appointed by Jesus to represent the Twelve tribes of Israel. Thus, Jesus did not choose Twelve disciples for practical reason but as a connection with Israel (Matthew 19:28), showing the connection between the old religious system and the new one based on Jesus' new covenant. Many people followed Jesus, including women (e.g., see Mark 15:40; Luke 8:1-4; Luke 23:49; Luke 24:10; John 19:25). However, the Twelve received the most intensive training from Jesus. We see the impact of these men and women throughout the rest of the New Testament. Peter, James and John dominated the story.

Most important, Mark 3:14 also gives another definition of discipleship. The disciples were called to be with or follow Jesus so they would preach and have authority to “cast out demon”. So there are three things to be a disciple (1) intimate fellowship or association with Jesus Himself; (2) to preach the Kingdom of God – Jesus came preaching the Kingdom, and (3) to cast out demons (e.g., see Matthew 10:1,5-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). Such good tasks were not limited to the Twelve apostles (Luke 10:1-24).

At Mark 3:14, Jesus called the Twelve men “apostles.” The difficult question is what was the place of the Twelve apostles in the life of the early church and that answer is not clear from the reading of the New Testament. There were differing meanings of the role of the apostles in the New Testament. The word “apostle” basically means a person who is sent on a mission as a messenger or authorized representative (Mark 6:30). In the New Testament, the term “apostle” primarily meant that group of people within the early church who were eyewitnesses of the historical Jesus and traveled with the Lord Jesus from the time He was baptized by John the Baptist through His resurrection until the day He was ascended to heaven (Acts 1:21-22). Jesus originally gave the title “apostle” to His closest circle of friends, the Twelve (Luke 6:12-16).

Apparently Jesus’ disciples first included “a great multitude of disciples” (see Luke 6:17; Acts 1:15). Jesus formed certain smaller and more specifically defined groups within that “great multitude.” These smaller groups would include a group of “seventy” or “seventy-two” (Luke 10:1, 17), the “Twelve” (Matthew 11:1; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1), and perhaps an even smaller, inner group within the Twelve, consisting especially of Peter, James, and John — whose names (with Andrew) always figure first in the lists of the Twelve (see Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:16-17; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13).  Peter, Andrew, James, and John’ calling stories are especially highlighted in the Gospels (see Matthew 4:18-22; John 1:35-42), and these inner circle of men (Peter, James and John) accompanied Jesus on certain significant occasions of healing and great revelation (see Matthew 17:1; Mark 13:3; Luke 8:51). The New Testament frequently uses the term “disciple” to refer generally to all those who come to Jesus in faith, having heard and believed the Good News (Gospel), and obey His teaching with allegiance and faithfulness (e.g. see Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 6:1-2, 7).. Essentially, the words “apostle,” “believer,” and “disciple” are synonymous.

After the first Easter, the term apostle was expanded by the early church to include not only to the Twelve, but to a wider circle of authoritative people that had eyewitness and proclaimed the resurrected Jesus (e.g. see Acts 14:4,14; Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Corinthians 15:5-9; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:7-9). For instance Paul was considered an apostle by the early church (see Romans 1:1) and apostle also applied to larger groups of people including Barnabas (see Acts 14:14), James the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19) and possible Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7). The Gospels clearly show that the word “disciple” or “apostle” can refer to others besides the Twelve (Mark 4:10). These disciples included a larger company of people from whom He selected the Twelve (Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:13-17). This larger group of disciples or followers included both men and women (see Luke 8:1-3; Luke 23:49) from all backgrounds of life and they represented a wide range of life experiences. Even the Twelve included a variety of people: fishermen, a tax collector, and a Zealot. Jesus was no doubt especially popular among the poor, outcast and religiously unclean. However, Jesus was also popular with people of great wealth and of theological training (e.g., see Luke 19:1-10; John 3:1-3; John 12:42; John 19:38-39). Nevertheless, these initial Twelve men chosen by Jesus were considered authorized representatives of Jesus. Importantly, the disciples or apostles of Jesus are to do the same things that Jesus did - casting our demons, preaching, and healing. The disciples are to continue Jesus’ good work on earth (Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:14-15).

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to Him. As He walked along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed Him. Later, Levi invited Jesus and His disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers). But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Healthy people do not need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:13-17 (NLT)

Mark 2:13-17 gives the call account of Levi the tax collector by the sea (see parallel references at Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32). Jesus spent a lot of time during His public ministry by the Galilean sea. The sea was where unchurched people were present. As with the four Peter, Andrew, James and John, Jesus told Levi (also known as Matthew) to “follow Me” and Levi immediately rose up and followed Jesus (Mark 2:14). Jesus’ calling of Levi was a radical action. In the first century, tax collectors were considered notorious sinners. Fishermen were on the outer edge of religious society and tax collectors were considered scum (Mark 2:16). These tax collectors were Jews and unjustly stole money through tax collection for the Roman government from other Jews. When Jesus called Levi, He added to His closest circle a notorious cheat and theft. Levi would go on to write the Gospel of Matthew.

Mark goes on to say that Jesus shared a meal with Levi’s tax collector associates and other sinners (Mark 2:15). In this first century culture, a meal was a sacred occasion. For Jesus to eat with these people was to open His life to their sin and wickedness. Essentially, Jesus’ eating with sinners and tax collectors crushed religious first century standards. The religious authorities were amazed at Jesus’ association with tax collectors and other sinners (Mark 2:16). However, Jesus spent time with whoever needed or wanted to hear and accept His message — poor, rich, bad, and good. Jesus heard the religious authorities’ discussion about this sharing a meal with tax collectors and sinners and said “Healthy people do not need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17 NLT). Jesus’ statement is a clear and simpler answer of why Jesus came into the world and His statement unleashed a religious fire storm.

Then, calling the crowd to join His disciples, He said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News (Gospel), you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38 (NLT)

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Butler, Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary (Broadman & Holman Pub., 1991).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Jesus’ First Sermon

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 (RSV)

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and passing the test of pure evil (Mark 1:9-13; Luke 4:14), Jesus gives His first sermon in Galilee. Jesus proclaimed, “The time promised by God has come at last . . . .  The Kingdom of God is near (arrived)! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:14-15 NLT). These first words spoken by Jesus give the theme and centerpiece of Jesus’ preaching and teaching (see also Matthew 4:17). Jesus’ teaching and preaching focused on the Kingdom of God, the need for repentance, and belief (trust) in the Gospel of God (Mark 1:14-15). More than a hundred references to the Kingdom of God appear in the New Testament Gospels, many in Jesus’ parables (e.g., see Matthew 13:24, 31-33, 44-47; Matthew 20:1; Matthew 22:2; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:1).

The Gospel is called “the Gospel of God” because the Gospel comes from God and reconciles (unites) us to God through wholehearted faith in Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; see also Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8-9; 1 Peter 4:17). Also, the Gospel is “the Gospel of the Kingdom” because faith (trust) in Jesus brings you into God’s Kingdom, into God’s family, and brings eternal life (John 1:12-13; John 3:15-16). Gospel is the usual New Testament translation of the Greek word “euangelion.” The word Gospel simply means “Good News.” The Gospel is the Good News that God's unique Son (Jesus Christ) has come into the world to bring salvation (Matthew 1:21). Through belief (faith or trust) in God’s Son and repentance, our sins can be forgiven, we can be reconciled to God, and declared God’s child (e.g., see John 1:12-14; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:5, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21). Even more, the Gospel is God’s proclamation victory over sin, death, and hell (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 51-52; Galatians 1:1-9). The Gospel is the power of God’s Holy Spirit to raise the dead, to bring new life, and release bondage from sin (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5). Most important, JESUS IS THE GOSPEL OF GOD! In Jesus is the fullness (totality) of God with all God’s powers and attributes (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9).

With the arrival of Jesus, the Kingdom of God had come (Mark 1:15). The only response to the arrival of God’s Kingdom was to first repent and second trust (believe) in the glorious Good News (Gospel) of the Kingdom of God. Like the Old Testament prophets and John the Baptist, God’s unique Son Jesus also preached the necessity of repentance (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; see also e.g., Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 2:12-17; Amos 5:4-6, 14-15). Repentances mean wholeheartedly turning our hearts and minds away from sins and genuinely seeking God. God always grants forgiveness when there is honest repentance.

Next, the idea of God’s Kingdom is central to Jesus’ teaching and preaching. What does “Kingdom of God” mean? The basic meaning of Kingdom of God means the reign or rule of God. The Old Testament contains no specific references to the Kingdom of God. However, the Kingdom of God takes its initial shape from Israel’s understanding of God as King (e.g. see 1 Samuel 12:12; 1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 5:2; Psalm 47:2, 7-8; Psalm 146:10; Isaiah 52:7; Revelation 4:9). In the Old Testament, God is spoken of as ruling and reigning (e.g. see Psalm 103:19; Daniel 4:17, 25-37). As Creator of the world, God is exalted above all creation and rules in majesty. The arrival of Jesus ushered in the eternal and heavenly reign of God throughout all the earth.

The proclamation of God’s Kingdom by Jesus meant “the time has come” (Mark 1:15). The Apostle Paul calls this moment the “fullness of time” or “just the right time” (Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10).  In Greek language, there are two words for time. The first is “chronos” which means progressive time, quantity of time, or chronological time. Second, mean “kairos” which means “critical or opportune moment” and this form of time requires an immediate action or an immediate response to a significant moment in time. So when Jesus said “the time has come,” Jesus was declaring the right “kairos” has come and you most do something now (Mark 1:15). The rule or reign of God’s Kingdom had now come into the human world and the Kingdom will also arrive at the second coming of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 25:1-46). So the Kingdom of God is the rule (reign) of God which He extended over human lives through the ministry of Jesus (Mark 1:15); and the Kingdom of God is also is God’s rule which will be consummated or made complete in the future.

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 (NLT)

Then, Jesus follows with two requirements of the Kingdom of God:  (1) repent and (2) believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:15). Entrance into God’s Kingdom require repentance (forsaking and turning one’s heart and minds from sin) and belief in the Gospel of God, which is Jesus! In His preaching, Jesus invited people to enter the Kingdom of God. We must make the Kingdom of God our first priority and seek the Kingdom ahead of everything else and turn from evil (Matthew 6:33). Righteous living (turning from evil and seeking God) was also the continued central teaching of Apostle Paul and the other Apostles (e.g., Romans chapters 12 through 15; 1 Peter 1:13-25).

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. Romans 14:17-18 (NLT)

Throughout the Gospels and other books of the New Testament, there are direct references to the “Gospel of God,” “the Gospel of the Kingdom,” or the “the Kingdom of heaven” (e.g., see Matthew 3:1-2; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 9:1-2). Jesus prophesied this same message shall be taken to the ends of the world (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10) and Jesus commissioned His disciples (faithful followers) to continue the message of the God with the help of the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:3-8). Clearly, the early church proclaimed the same message Jesus Christ preached, that is, “the Gospel of the Kingdom of God” and the need to turn away from sin and turn to God (see Acts 8:12; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23, 30-31). 

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21 (NLT)

References

Spirit Filled Life Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Butler, Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary (Broadman & Holman Pub., 1991).

Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002).

Kelber, Werner. Mark’s Story of Jesus (Houston, TX: Fortress Press, 1979).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized Him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on [into] Him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are My dearly loved Son, and You bring Me great joy.” The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of Him. Mark 1:9-13 (NLT)

At Mark 1:9, Mark tells us Jesus came from Galilee and He was baptized by John the Baptist (see parallel at Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-22). Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry on earth. Jesus began His public ministry in AD 27 when He was approximately 30 years (Luke 3:23; see also Numbers 4:3). Prior to the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus worked in a small-town carpenter's shop and waited for God’s divine timing before beginning His ministry. Before His public ministry, Jesus spent most of His life in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23; Luke 4:23). Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown (Matthew 21:11; Matthew 26:71; Luke 2:39; Luke 4:16; John 1:45-46). Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem just outside Jerusalem, He was brought up in the city of Nazareth in Galilee (Matthew 2:22-23; Luke 1:26; Luke 2:39). Nazareth was a small town in the Galilean region (northern Israel) located about between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea.

You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:37-38 (NLT)

The account of Jesus’ baptism by John created controversy in the early church as seen in early church writings. The early church had to wrestle with this issue of Jesus’ baptism. In the early church, some argued that Jesus was just like any other human with sins. Christians understood baptism not a baptism of ritual cleansing but a baptism that marked a newness of life, a turning from sin and an acknowledgement for forgiveness of sins (Matthew 3:8). If baptism is a sign of new life and acknowledgement for forgiveness of sins, the early church wanted to know why Jesus had to be baptized. The four Gospels do not answer this controversial issue regarding Jesus’ baptism but simply gives Jesus’ baptism as a statement of fact (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:31-34). Also, Matthew’s Gospel states Jesus’ baptism fulfilled “all righteousness,” which means to accomplish God's mission or will (see Matthew 3:15). The Holy Scriptures amply confirmed that Jesus was sinless and holy (e.g. see John 1:29, 36; Acts 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Although Jesus did not need forgiveness of sins, He was baptized to begin His Messianic ministry to bring the message of salvation to all people through faith. Also, by allowing John to baptize Him, Jesus identified Himself with sinful humanity whom He came to seek and save. Jesus’ baptism completely identified Himself with humanity’s sin and failure.

Immediately, after Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit appeared (Mark 1:10; see also Isaiah 42:1-2). The Holy Spirit normally was not discussed much with Mark’s Gospel. However, the Holy Spirit is heavily associated with Luke’s Gospel and the Book of Acts, which is also written by Luke. Luke emphasized the Holy Spirit not only in His Gospel (e.g., Luke 1:35, 41, 67; Luke 2:25-27; Luke 3:16, 22) but also in the Book of Acts, where the Holy Spirit is mentioned fifty-seven times. Yet, Mark prominently mentioned the Holy Spirit. With Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon or into Him and anointed Him for His public ministry (see Luke 4:18, 21; John 1:32-33). Also, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus to empower Him for His missionary work as Messiah (the “Anointed One”) (Acts 10:37-38; see also Isaiah 61:1-3). At Jesus’ baptism, all three Persons of the Trinity were present: (1) God the Father spoke, (2) God the Son was baptized, and (3) God the Spirit descended onto Jesus (Mark 1:10-11). As a side note, all faithful followers (disciples) of Jesus are also anointed with the Holy Spirit through their genuine love, faith, and obedience to Him (John 14:15-17; John 15:26-27; John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20).

During the baptism, God spoke directly from heaven declaring Jesus as His unique and beloved Son (Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Also, the Gospel writers recorded God’s voice from heaven addressing Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35) and in the Temple area during Jesus’ final week on earth (John 12:28-29). Jesus’ declaration as God's divine Son is the foundation of Mark’s Gospel (e.g. see Mark 1:1, 11; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:7; Mark 9:7; Mark 12:1-11; Mark 13:32; Mark 14:61-62; and Mark 15:39). Mark did not write his Gospel about just any man. He wrote his Gospel about Jesus – the very Son of God who came from heaven to die for the sins of the world!

Based on this scene in Mark, only Jesus sees and hears God’s glorious voice speaking from heaven. Mark gives no account of John the Baptist or the people seeing and hearing God’s voice because Jesus is central to this scene in his Gospel. For Mark, John the Baptist was just a vessel, an instrument, or messenger as Jesus is central to his Gospel. However, John’s Gospel records both Jesus and John the Baptist hearing God’s voice and seeing the Holy Spirit descend onto Jesus as a dove (John 1:29-34). God’s declaration from heaven reminds us of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1.

The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. Mark 1:12-13 (NLT)

One of the most fascinating features of Jesus’ baptism and temptation is the Holy Spirit’s compelling of Jesus into the wilderness. Immediately (Mark’s favorite term), Mark notes “the Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness” (Mark 1:12 NLT). Matthew and Luke’s Gospels said “Jesus was lead out” into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). But Mark’s Gospel said Jesus was “cast out” or “compelled” into the wilderness to be tempted and tested. Compelled reflects Mark's forceful style, while the other Gospel writers use "led"). The Greek word is “ekballō,” which may be translated “lead.” Mark translate the Greek word “ekballei” or “ekballō” as a forceful thrust of Jesus into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the same Holy Spirit that endowed and equipped Jesus for His Messianic ministry also “casted” or “compelled” Jesus out into the wilderness to be tempted and tested. This is Mark's way of showing the intensity or immediacy of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had no time to bask in the glory of the heavenly voice or the presence of the heavenly dove. Instead, Mark shows Jesus’ active ministry in first century Galilee. As typical with Mark’s Gospel, Mark’s account of the temptation is the briefest of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Matthew and Luke give more details surrounding Jesus’ testing and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13).

Since we have a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has gone into heaven, let us hold on to the faith we have. For our High Priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When He lived on earth, He was tempted in every way that we are, but He did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NCV)

Jesus was tempted and tested for forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2). However, Jesus did not sin but remained faithful and obedient to God (Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15). The forty days of testing and temptation recalled the experiences of Moses (Exodus 24:18; Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) as well as the forty years of Israel’s temptation (testing) in the desert. The Lord God led Israel into the wilderness (desert) forty years. Jesus was subjected to a similar test as Israel and showed Himself to be the true Israelite who lived “on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Although Israel of the Old Testament failed when they were tested, Jesus succeeded victoriously by triumphing over evil and temptation. The second picture of the wilderness scene was that of the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45). The first Adam was tested in the beautiful Garden and failed. However, Jesus as the “second Adam” won the victory over evil and temptation through obedience and faith in God (Romans 5:12-21). Jesus was faithful and demonstrated His qualification to become Savior of the world. As the One who remained faithful and obedient to God in temptation and testing He became the Model for all believers when we are tempted and tested to remain faithful and obedient to God.

Moreover, the Scripture referenced that Jesus “was with the wild beasts” (Mark 1:13). This reference that Jesus “was with the wild beasts” is only recorded in Mark’s Gospel. Some biblical scholars comment that because there is no parallel in the other three Gospels that Jesus was “with the wild animals” or “wild beast” is Mark’s deliberate allusion to Nero’s persecution of Christian in Rome. During Christian persecution in the AD 60s, Roman Emperor Nero draped Christians with the skins of wild animals and the Christians were treated like a sport. Roman athletics would fight the Christians as wild animals until their death. Thus, this reference to the “wild beast” or “wild animals” is similar to Christian persecution by Nero and is a deliberate allusion to Mark’s audience who were suffering unjustly at the hands of Nero. Yet, Mark also said “angels took care of Him” as a reference of encouragement (Mark 1:13 NLT). God will take care of His people during times of suffering, trials and mistreatment in the wilderness.

Implicit in Mark’s Gospel is the question of unjust suffering. Mark wrote His Gospel message to Christians living in Rome and their only crime was their faith in Jesus Christ. Even today, some people that believe and follow Jesus are subjected to mistreatment and injustice and their only crime is faith in Jesus. As Mark tells his story of Jesus, Mark’s audience was suffering even though they are following God. In Jesus Himself, Jesus had a most glorious experience with a declaration of being God’s Son. Then immediately, Jesus is in the wildernesses facing temptation, testing and suffering. Many Jewish sources believe that the wilderness was a place of abandonment by God as the wilderness is a place in testing and temptation. Also, the wilderness alludes to the book of Numbers and Israel’s testing in the wilderness. Thus, Mark’s Gospel shows the readers Jesus’ highest point (God’s declaration and empowerment of the Holy Spirit) and Jesus’ lowest point (Jesus’s testing and temptation in the wilderness). Mark shows his readers that they too will experience highpoints and low points as genuine followers (disciples) of Jesus. As Jesus was tested during the wilderness testing and temptation, we must follow His example of continual trust, dependence and faith in God and God’s Holy Spirit.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (NLT)

References

Believer’s Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary (Victor Books, 1989).

The Messenger

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, and he will prepare Your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for Him!’” This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is Greater than I am — so much greater that I am not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of His sandals. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” Mark 1:1-8 (NLT)

All four Gospels give the account of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-11; Mark 1:2-8; Luke 3:2-16; and John 1:6-9, 19-34). John’s ministry represented the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. John appeared preaching like an Old Testament prophet, similar to the Prophet Amos and the Prophet Elijah (Matthew 11:9; Mark 11:32). Like Old Testament prophets, John called for repentance of the people, which meant a wholehearted turning to the true and living God to experience His mercy and approval and away from sin to avoid God’s wrath and punishment (Matthew 3:2, 6, 8, 11; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:77; see also 1 Kings 18:18-39; Amos 5:4, 6, 14-16). Jesus said of John, “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). He was the last and greatest of the prophets (Matthew 11:13–14).

John the Baptist ministered “in the spirit and power of Elijah (see Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:13-14; Matthew 17:12-13; Mark 9:11-13). John was not literally a reincarnation of Elijah (see John 1:21), but John did fulfill the function and the role of the Prophet Elijah as he preached repentance, moral renewal, and wholeheartedly turning to God (see Matthew 11:14; Matthew 17:10-13; Luke 1:17; see also 1 Kings 18:16-46). Similar to the Prophet Elijah, John spent his time in the desert and he was clothed with camel’s hair, wore a leather belt and ate locusts and wild honey (2 Kings 1:8; see also Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6 Luke 1:17). In essence, John reminded the people of Elijah because of his dress and behavior (Matthew 11:14; Mark 9:12–13).

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him . . . .  “Do not be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. . . . ” Luke 1:11, 13-17 (NLT)

John was the messenger and his job was to announce the coming of the Messiah (the Christ) into the world (Mark 1:2-3; see also Luke 1:76). Old Testament prophecies predicted that just before the Messiah’s arrival, God would send a special messenger first to announce and prepare the world for the Messiah’s coming (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:10-13; Luke 1:17). John prepared people's hearts for the Messiah by urging people to repent because repentance was necessary to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. John’s preaching and baptism was tied to Jesus, who was Greater and Mightier than John (Matthew 1:11; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). As John baptized the people, John proclaimed:  “Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am, so much greater that I am not even worthy to be His slave. I baptize you with water but He will baptize you with God’s Holy Spirit!” (Mark 1:7-8, TLB). Therefore, John represents a kind of bridge to what God did for His people in the Old Testament and what God would do through Jesus the Messiah. John’s singular ministry was to announce Jesus’ coming into the world (John 10:41).

John lived in the Judean wilderness (Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4) and he preached near the Jordan River. He taught that all should be baptized as a public announcement of their decision to turn from sin and evil, so that God could forgive them (Matthew 3:2, 5; Mark 1:4). When the people confessed their sins, John baptized them in the Jordan River. With John’s preaching, people from Jerusalem and from all over Judea traveled to come see and hear John’s preaching and also to be baptized in the Jordan River (Mark 1:5). John’s preaching was connected to baptism. However, John’s baptism was not a baptism of ritual cleansing but a baptism that marked a newness of life and a turning from sin (Matthew 3:8).

Baptism was not a creation of John the Baptist or Jesus but a common practice of Jews in the first century. In the first century, Jews commonly performed baptism as a form of ritual cleansing. Also, a group of Jews called “Essenes” believed in ritual washings for ritual cleansing and their communities were filled with baptism pools. The Essenes where constantly engaged in ritual cleansing in these baptismal pools. Some commentators argued that John the Baptist was associated with the Essene communities until he become a follower of Jesus. Both John and the Essenes lived in the wilderness and performed baptisms. However, John’s baptism was not a baptism of ritual cleansing but a baptism connected to repentance and for the forgiveness of sins.

John lived and baptized people in the Judean wastelands or desert (Mark 1:5). “Desert” can also mean “wilderness” or a “dry place.” Palestine is already dry and hot. But the implication of “desert” in the Gospel means abandonment, particularly abandonment by God. From first century Jewish sources, demons and unclean spirits lived in abandoned desert places. Thus, the wastelands or desert was not just a hot dry place but a place where of demons and unclean people lived. For the most part, righteous and godly people stayed away from deserts.

When John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, all of Judea and all of Jerusalem came out to see and hear him. Itinerant or traveling preachers were not new in the first century. The appearance of traveling prophets, rabbis and preachers in the first century was very common. However, all four Gospels proclaimed that John’s preaching was different and authoritative. The people of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, saw something new and powerful with John’s preaching that had not been present for over 400 years! The Jews had not heard a true prophetic Word of God since the Prophet Malachi around 430 BC. The Jews believed that when the Messiah came, prophecy would reappear (see Joel 2:28-29; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5-6). When John the Baptist burst onto the scene, the Jews were excited as John represented the power and Spirit of an Old Testament prophet.

There was a view in the rabbinic world that God had lifted His Holy Spirit from His people during the Jewish exile. The Jews believed God lifted His Holy Spirit after the Babylonian exile in 586 BC due to their punishment for disobedience to God’s Covenant and idolatry. God’s lifting of His Holy Spirit from the Jews did not mean God had abandoned the Jews. The Jews still believed they found God in the Holy Scriptures, the Law, and the Temple. For the Jews, the prophets spoke in the Old Testament only because the Holy Spirit gave the prophets words to speak. For example, Amos prophesied in the 8th century and Amos’ entire authority was “Thus said the Lord.” Within this view, there developed the belief that prior to the coming of the Messiah, which would be the coming of the Kingdom, God would pour out His Holy Spirit back upon His people as predicted by the Prophet Joel (see Joel 2:28-32) and the Spirit of prophecy would returned. The Jews believe that they would know that God had poured His Holy Spirit back on the people through the appearance of real prophet of God.

With the appearance of John the Baptist, the people believed he represented God’s Holy Spirit returning to all of Judea and Jerusalem (Mark 1:5). The Holy Spirit’s presence in John accounted for the great response to John’s preaching and baptism (Luke 1:15). Apparently, there were many people leaving Judea and Jerusalem to come see John. John’s presence, power, and authority of his preaching were evidence that God was pouring out His fresh Holy Spirit on the people and He was fulfilling His Old Testament promises. With this outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, the people also believed that God was about to bring in His Kingdom and the Messiah into the world. Amazingly, all of the excitement and the returning of God’s Holy Spirit were occurring not in Jerusalem and the Temple but in the wilderness – the abandoned place and the place of unclean spirit. The people saw John as an authentic prophet of God (e.g., Mark 11:32). Clearly with John’s appearance, there was an awakening among the Galilean people of an expectation of the coming of the Kingdom. John’s ministry was a sign of God and a sign that God was about to do something new and the Kingdom was about to come.

References:

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament. Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015.

Youngblood, Ronald. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Pub., 1995).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary (Victor Books, 1989).

Who Is Jesus? He Is the Son of God!

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. . . . One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized Him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are My dearly loved Son, and You bring Me great joy.” Mark 1:1, 9-11 (NLT)

The Gospel of Mark opens with a clear announcement:  “The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1, NIV). Near the end of the Gospel, Mark gives another clear announcement: “When the army officer who was standing in front of the Cross saw what happened when Jesus died, he said, ‘This Man really was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39, NCV). “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely He was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54, NIV).

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book (Gospel of John). But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His Name. John 20:30-31 (NLT)

The Son of God expresses the holy being of Jesus as the one, unique Son of the true and living God (John 3:16; John 10:36). Other references Scriptures in the Old Testament and the New Testament refer to Israel, angels, and humans as “sons of God” (e.g., see Genesis 6:1-4; Psalm 29:1; Psalm 89:6; Psalm 82:6; Hosea 1:10). In fact, Israel is referred to as God’s firstborn son or simply as God’s son (see Exodus 4:22-23; Jeremiah 31:11; Hosea 11:1). Also, all faithful believers of Jesus are sons and daughters of God (Matthew 5:9, 45; Mark 3:34-35; John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7). However, only Jesus lives in a unique relationship with God (John 1:18; John 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). God was in Jesus (John 10:30, 38) to summons the world to repentance, to belief in the Good News and to reconcile humans with God (Mark 1:14-15). Frequently, Jesus referred to God as “My Father” (e.g., see Matthew 7:21; Mark 8:38; Luke 2:49; Luke 10:21-22; John 5:17; John 10:18; John 15:15). At Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, God the Father identified Jesus as His beloved Son (see Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; Mark 9:7; Luke 3:21-22; Luke 9:34-36; John 1:31-34). God the Father’s announcement from heaven reminds us of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. Also, demons and other evil spirits recognized Jesus as God’s unique and Holy Son (e.g., see Matthew 4:3, 6; Matthew 8:29; Mark 3:11-12; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28). When the high priest asked Jesus, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One” Jesus answered, “I AM” (Mark 14:61-62, NLT). Even as a Boy at the age of twelve, Jesus recognized God as His Father (Luke 2:29). Prior to Jesus’ birth, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that her Son would be “great and will be called the Son of the Most High. . . . the Baby to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:32, 35, NLT). After seeing Jesus, John the Baptist – the prophet God sent to prepare the way for His Son – testified to his disciples “this is the Son of God” (John 1:34, NIV). Jesus’ disciples and faithful followers that witnessed the historical Jesus declared: “Truly, You are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33; see also Matthew 16:16; John 1:14, 18, 34, 49; John 11:27). Even after Jesus’ death and ascension, the faithful followers of Jesus continued to proclaim to the early church that Jesus is the one true and unique “Son of God” (e.g., see Acts 9:20-22; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Hebrews 1:1-4; Hebrews 5:5).

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. The Good News is about His Son, Jesus. In His earthly life He was born into King David’s family line, and He was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:1-4 (NLT)

The “Gospel of Jesus Christ” is the Good News that God's very holy and unique Son has come from heaven to live as a human, to die for the sins of the world and to gain our victory over sin, death, and hell (1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 51-52; Galatians 1:1-9). “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. . . . He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9-10, NLT). We can be forgiven our sins, receive God’s grace and be united into God’s family through our faith in God’s one and only begotten Son, Jesus (see John 1:12-13; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:23-25; Galatians 4:4-7). Mark and the other Gospel writers did not write their books about just any Jewish servant but declare Jesus as the unique Son of God (Mark 1:1, 11; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:7; Mark 9:7; Mark 12:1-11; Mark 13:32; Mark 14:61-62; and Mark 15:39). Jesus’ announcement as God's divine Son is the foundation for all we read about Jesus in the New Testament.

Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers through the prophets [in visions, dreams, and even face to face], telling them little by little about His plans. But now in these days He has spoken to us through His Son (Jesus) to whom He has given everything and through whom He made the world and everything there is. God’s Son shines out with God’s glory, and all that God’s Son is and does marks Him as God. He regulates the universe by the mighty power of His command. He is the One who died to cleanse us and clear our record of all sin, and then sat down in highest honor beside the great God of heaven. Thus He became far greater than the angels, as proved by the fact that His Name “Son of God,” which was passed on to Him from His Father, is far greater than the names and titles of the angels. Hebrews 1:1-4 (TLB)

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Butler, Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary (Broadman & Holman Pub., 1991).

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Book House Company, 2001).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary (Victor Books, 1989).