Chapter # 1 Paragraph # 3 Study # 2
November 20, 2018
Moss Bluff, Louisiana
(030)
1901 ASV
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him:
11 and a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.
- I. The Descent of the Spirit Upon Jesus.
- A. In our prior study of 1:9 I made the claim that Mark's reference to Nazareth was connected to the fact that the tri-radical root of "Nazareth" is exactly the same as the Hebrew word translated "Branch" in Isaiah 11.
- B. Now, with the current thesis of the descent of the Spirit upon Jesus before us, I am going to double-down on that claim.
- 1. In Isaiah 11:1 the prophecy is made that Jesse (presented by Ruth 4:17 and 22 and of 1 Samuel 16) will be the root-stock out of which a "Branch" will grow Who will "smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall he slay the wicked" (Isaiah 11:4).
- a. This prophecy is the heart of the "Hope of Israel" as the final culmination of the promises made to Abraham.
- b. As such, this "Branch" is none other than God's "Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).
- 2. In Isaiah 11:2, the prophecy's first "detail" regarding this "Branch" is that "the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him..."
- 3. I absolutely do not believe that this is simply "coincidence": Mark's picture of Jesus includes the major thesis that John the Baptizer was to precede "the Lord" with a view toward a major aspect of that "Lord's" task in bringing what I have called "a utopian unity between God and His people".
- C. This "descent" of the Spirit of the Lord.
- 1. Is sequentially "immediately" after Jesus entered into the Jordan river and was baptized by John.
- a. This is the first use by Mark of the word translated "straightway".
- 1) This word is used in 80 texts of the New Testament with 40 of those 80 being in Mark's record (as a kind of "favorite" descriptive adverb).
- 2) The word indicates little, to no, progression in time between events.
- b. The "immediacy" is deliberately tied to Jesus' "ascent" out of the water so that there will be no mistake regarding the link between Jesus' baptism and the descent of the Spirit upon Him.
- c. The "connection" between these two events is that Mark wanted his readers to understand that John's "Mighty One" had come upon the scene as a Primary Actor in the processes involved in the message that "repentance leads to forgiveness".
- 1) This is the major message for Mark's picture of Jesus.
- 2) As a "message" there are critical aspects of it that must be understood.
- a) The most crucial element that must be understood is the "How?" aspect of "forgiveness" in the universe of a "Just" God.
- b) This "How?" aspect is the primary element in the records of all four Gospels, and is particularly crucial to Mark's effort.
- 2. Is presented as a "sign" in the sense of a visual demonstration of "Truth".
- a. The heavens were "split apart".
- 1) Mark only uses this word twice, and the other use is just as "symbolic": the veil in the temple was split from top to bottom (15:38).
- 2) The "symbolism" is that the task of the "Branch" will require both "the heavens being split" and "the Spirit of the Lord" to direct the processes.
- a) There may be an implication that the very God of Heaven is going to have to be "split" in order for "forgiveness" to be extended.
- b) There is an implication that what is to be done will be by "the Spirit of the Lord" as Mark 1:12 clearly indicates.
- b. The Spirit descended "as a dove".
- 1) Luke 3:22 makes sure we think in terms of the appearance being "like a dove" and not the downward flight "like a dove".
- 2) The "dove" was first highlighted in the Scriptures in Genesis 8 as the Noahic indicator that the judgment of God was "finished" and it was "safe" to move out of the ark.
- 3) The strong implication is that the task that is to be undertaken is going to be a major action to make sure that the "Justice" of God does not consume those who are "repentant".
- II. The Voice From the Heavens.
- A. Is intentionally described so that the readers will identify it with "God".
- B. Is addressed to Jesus.
- 1. You are My beloved son.
- a. Focusing upon the attitude of the Father toward the Son so that the events coming will not be misconstrued as "hateful".
- b. Focusing upon the identity of Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee as God's "Son" so that there will be no misunderstanding as to the "Whence?" of Jesus' Mighty Ability to conquer the Major Monster (the pride of life).
- 2. I am well-pleased with You.
- a. The verb means "I think highly of you": a direct assault upon the notion that the opinions of others are somehow significant.
- b. The verb strengthens the "Son" in His absolute loyalty to the Father.
