MAR 1Verse 1. "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God."
Verses 2, 3. Mal. 3:1,1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1) and Isa. 40:3,3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3) are quoted to announce John as the messenger preparing Messiah's way, but do not tell of the result. God's thought is for blessing; judgment will result if the blessing be rejected.
Verse 4. "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." This was good news to the remnant of Israel that felt their sins and their low estate. In answer to this preaching, many consciences were stirred, and Verse 5. "There went out unto Him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins." We know some refused to bow in humiliation before Jehovah, but the excellent of the earth confessed their sins.
Verse 6. John's clothing and food and isolation in the wilderness (Luke 1:8080And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. (Luke 1:80)), tell of his separation from Israel's state; his message was a righteous one, demanding repentance.
Verses 7, 8. He told of One coming "mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." John thus introduces Him as Jehovah, and as the One who, when the work is accomplished, and the Lord glorified, will baptize those who believe on Him with the Holy Ghost. Remission of sins for the repentant, that is, governmental forgiveness and a promise of blessing from the coming One, was the place John's baptism brought them into Note:-This is not justification as in Romans (See Ex. 32:14, 3414And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Exodus 32:14)
34Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. (Exodus 32:34); 2 Sam. 12:13, 1413And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. (2 Samuel 12:13‑14).) Repentant Israel in the last days will be justified through the work of Christ. Believers are now justified eternally.
Verse 9. "And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan." How wonderful that one equal with Jehovah, should take a place among those repentant ones, showing His delight in them as the excellent of the earth. Confessed sinners they were, and He in lowly grace is with them in this right step. (Psa. 16:2, 32O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; 3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. (Psalm 16:2‑3).)
Verses 10, 11. "And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." John saw and heard, but the words are addressed to the Lord for His comfort. He has taken the servant's place, but He is none the less the Father's beloved Son, the Father's delight; heaven is opened. He is heaven's object. He is sealed and anointed. He is the peerless, spotless, perfect Man.
Verses 12, 13. "And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness, and He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him." this obedience is proved, He goes into the wilderness and is there forty days. Adam was tried in the Garden of Eden. Jesus was tried tempted of Satan, in the wilderness. Adam fell. Jesus was victorious, and bound the strong man. And what can wild beasts do against their Creator? When the trial is over, the angels minister to Him, the obedient One. There are no details of the temptations, as in Matthew or Luke, but enough to show us the servant fully fitted for the work to which He has given Himself. The Father has owned Him as His beloved Son; heaven is opened upon Him; Satan is overcome by Him; the wild beasts cannot harm Him-the Lord of all Creation; and the angels minister to Him. Wonderful Servant with whom none can compare.
Verses 14, 15. Isa. 40:4,4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: (Isaiah 40:4) and Mal. 3:2,2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (Malachi 3:2) are not fulfilled yet. Instead, John is put in prison, and "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." It is good news He has come to bring, and not the judgment man so fully deserved. It is the time of the fulfillment of the ways of God, and men are called on to repent, take their place low before God, own their guilt and believe the gospel. There is forgiveness with God (Psa. 130), plenteous redemption.
Verses 16-20. He calls others into the work with Him. They are called to this ministry. "Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Simon and Andrew, at the call, forsook their nets and followed Him; James and John, sons of Zebadee, also left their father, ship and hired servants, and went after Him. They had been personally called before, but now it is to serve with Him. May we also know something of this call:
"Yet I will wait, in labor still
In Thy blest service here:
What Thou hast given me to fulfill-
Thy will-to me is dear!
Lord! let me wait, for Thee alone:
My life be only this-
To serve Thee, here on earth unknown;
Then share Thy heavenly bliss."
(To be continued.)