Back to the Wilderness

Mark 1:1-11

I. A Cry in the Wilderness (vv. 2-3)

1) Prophetic Anticipation: Isaiah and Malachi

• A New Exodus from Captivity (Isaiah 40:1-5)
  • Partially fulfilled (539 BC) when Israel was delivered from Babylon
  • Israel was still experiencing the pain of ‘exile’ back in their land – 400 years of enemy occupation and silence from God
  • John’s cry in the wilderness signaled that a New Exodus was about to begin!
• A New Messenger (Malachi 3:1-4)
  • Expectation of a Prophet who would prepare the way for Israel’s King
  • Expectation that Elijah would return shortly before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6)

2) Prophetic Fulfillment: John the Baptist

• Gospels declare John’s ministry to be the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:1-5
• Gospels present John as the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah
  • Although John was not literally Elijah (John 1:21), he came in the ‘spirit and power’ of Elijah (Luke 1:17), and fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy (Matthew 17:12-13)
  • John’s unusual dress and diet confirm his identity as the new Elijah (cf. 2 Kings 1:8)
• John was immensely popular (v. 5)

II. A Cleansing in the Wilderness (vv. 4-8)

The Significance of John’s Baptism in the Jordan

• A Symbol of Repentance and Forgiveness
  • Water cleans us up on the outside
  • Only God can make us clean within!
• A Sign to Israel –New Exodus from Captivity!
  • Most likely based on the Jewish practice of baptizing Gentile converts
  • John’s baptism indicated that Jewish people needed to be converted too!
  • John was calling his Jewish brethren to come back to the wilderness and to cross the Jordan a second time – A New Exodus for a New Covenant
• The Precursor of Christian Baptism
  • Baptism of believers – not of infants
  • Full immersion in water (cf. John 3:23)
  • Physical sign of the spiritual reality – Spirit Baptism!

Application: John’s call for Israel to repent and be baptized reminds us that nobody is saved by physical birth or by the faith of our parents – we must come to God as individuals who acknowledge our sin and look to Him for salvation

III. A Coronation in the Wilderness (vv. 9-11)

1) An Unlikely Baptismal Candidate – Jesus Christ!

• John recognized his inferior role – v. 7
• Like many of us, John was confused by Jesus’ request to be baptized – Matt 3:14-15

2) Reasons for Jesus’ Baptism

• Identification with sinful humanity
• Starting point of Jesus’ ministry (Acts 1:21-22)
• Coronation Ceremony for Israel’s King!
  • Tearing open of the heavens – Isaiah 64:1
  • Father’s testimony to the Son– Psalm 2:7
  • Empowerment of the Spirit – Isaiah 11:2

Application:

Who do you believe that Jesus is? A good man? An enlightened teacher?

Mark wants us to know and to believe that He is the Son of God!