The Mark of Jesus

The Mark of Jesus
Words of Faith 10-13-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Mark 1
[9] At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] 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 desert, [13] and He was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

As a child, I loved to watch the Disney television series "Zorro." If you remember, Zorro always announced his presence with the rapid slashing of a wall or tapestry with the letter "Z." Those three quick movements of the blade boldly declared that a new hero was in town on behalf of the downtrodden.
Similarly, Mark describes the arrival of Jesus in four swift movements-- presentation, revelation, identification, and temptation. While this may sound terribly theological, for the people of that day the coming of Jesus onto the scene was a bold declaration with these four quick slashes by the Sword of the Spirit. This is the mark of Jesus.
The presentation of Jesus connected Him with an obscure place called Nazareth. Nazareth was an unknown town in the Old Testament and Talmud. In other words, Jesus was from a no-name place. He came into the northern region of Israel and was baptized. But at that very moment, "heaven was torn open" to reveal the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. Nothing could have gotten the attention of people more than this announcement.
This was clearly not a baptism "for the forgiveness of sins." In fact, the Bible is clear that Jesus was without sin (John 8:45-46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5). But it was an act of obedience that connected him with John the Preparer. This was an act of self-identification as part of Israel but also was an act of self-dedication to His mission as Messiah.
The revelation of precisely who Jesus is came as He was coming up out of the water. Heaven was being torn open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove.
The third slash of identification came from God the Father. A voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." This was not news to Jesus. He had asked His parents, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49). Now, this was clear to all who were present.
The Temptation of Jesus was the final flash of the sword marking His identity. At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels attended him. The details are found in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 and we see Jesus as the Son of Man.
Jesus was tempted by Satan to prove His deity through meeting His personal needs. "Turn these stones into bread." He was tempted to prove His deity with the spectacular. "Cast yourself from this high place. Test God." He was tempted to prove His deity by compromise. "I will give you all this if you worship Satan. Take a shortcut."
All the responses of Jesus were straight from the Word of God. The Sword of the Spirit was flashing in the hand of the Son of God the enemy Satan was no match. "Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Deut. 8:3). "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" (Deut. 6:16). "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only" (Deut 6:13).
Are you ready to receive the Messiah of God? Are you prepared to know him as your Savior? Are you ready for the mark of Jesus upon your heart and soul?

Thank You, Lord, for coming to save Your people. Thank You, Lord, for coming to save me. Thank You for the gospel and the privilege of sharing the Good News in a world that desperately needs it. In Jesus' name, Amen.