Sermonic Reflection: Mark 1:4-11

4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Why was the baptism of Jesus important? It was a baptism of repentance, after all, and he had no need to change his way of thinking, no sins that would need repentance. So why is it important?

I believe the answer is found in what happened through the action of baptism and through the vision that occurred after the baptism.

First, the people coming to John's baptism were coming "confessing their sins." in other words they word sinners! They weren't trying to hide it anymore, they came to the water because they were ready to repent and seek to live a reformed life. So then Jesus comes on the scene and gets in line with them. By his coming and standing with them he is essentially identifying with the group of sinners. He joins them, not as a sinner, but as the one who will one day save sinner's.

It makes sense actually, he begins his ministry by finding those who he came to save and joining the group. In fact, throughout his ministry we find him doing the same thing. He eats with them, he attends their parties, he dies on the cross with them. His whole ministry was focused on identifying with sinners, why wouldn't the beginning of it maintain the same focus?

The second reason his baptism is important is what happened when he emerged from the water:

"And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him."

He saw the heavens torn (schizomenous). Now, this is a bit of a theological interpretation, but I believe the writer used that Greek word intentionally. The Greek word schizomenous derives from the verb, schizo, which only appears in Mark twice. The first time is at the baptism (Mark 1), the second is when the temple veil was torn. (Mark 15:38)

His baptism and the beginning of his ministry cause the heavens to be torn open and now sinners see the one (Jesus) who it is torn (schizomenous) open for. Upon his death the veil is torn and the same one who tore open our access to heaven now tears (eschisthe) again and grants us access to God through himself.

Things that are torn open are not easily repaired, things that God tears open remain that way. Through the baptism of Christ, marking, the beginning of his ministry, the way to heaven is shown to us -- Jesus Christ, and heaven watches the scene unfold. Through his death the veil that separated us from the presence us God was torn, now the one whom we go through to get to God is his son -- Jesus Christ.

Be thankful.

God's Court Jester.