Mk 1:7-11
Dear Friends, This feast of the Baptism of the Lord concludes the Christmas Season. While Mark has no infancy narrative, he is very much about “the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14).
Starting with the Baptism scene, Mark is very clear. He is not interested in giving us a detailed story of the life of Jesus. His only concern is to call us to encounter Jesus as the way of salvation. He is one who will free us from the forces of evil. It is a call to discipleship. John’s baptism is the first step in meeting Jesus as the messenger of God. The baptism John practices involves the movement from the “hard heart” locked in sin, to the free and repentant heart of grace. John’s baptism was rooted in the prophetic words of Ezekiel:
Mark shows Jesus sharing solidarity with the struggling people seeking repentance. He also shows Jesus receiving the acceptance of the Father: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mk 1:11) This is the first of a series of events in Mark where the description of Jesus changes back and forth between the human and divine. Here we have Jesus sharing the search of sinful humankind for the freedom from sin in John’s baptism. Alongside of it, we have the heavens open in the words of acceptance for the beloved Son. This is the highlight of the Christmas Season: God becoming like us in all things but sin.
A truly interesting point of Mark’s portrayal of the voice from heaven is that only Jesus hears the proclamation. This is the beginning of Mark’s “messianic secret.” Throughout the text, Jesus works diligently to hide his role as the Messiah. After miracles and other displays of power, he repeatedly says, “Tell no one of this.”
The point of this seemingly confusing message is basically simple. Jesus is a Messiah far removed from popular expectations of power, wealth and privilege. It is only in the utter poverty and rejection of the Cross that we have the full and open revelation of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. It is proclaimed in the words of the Roman centurion: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:39).
Mark’s description of Jesus, beginning with the Baptism story, is an invitation for us to take Jesus as he is, in both word and action. He is the wisdom and the power of God as the suffering servant. We are called to enter into this mystery of the beloved Son whose full revelation comes only in the death and resurrection.
We face the constant pull to make Jesus fit our limited expectations. Mark’s Gospel will be our guide this year to be both honest and faithful. Right here in the opening scene, Mark directs us to the true Jesus who will set us free.
Starting with the Baptism scene, Mark is very clear. He is not interested in giving us a detailed story of the life of Jesus. His only concern is to call us to encounter Jesus as the way of salvation. He is one who will free us from the forces of evil. It is a call to discipleship. John’s baptism is the first step in meeting Jesus as the messenger of God. The baptism John practices involves the movement from the “hard heart” locked in sin, to the free and repentant heart of grace. John’s baptism was rooted in the prophetic words of Ezekiel:
“I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.” (Ezek 36:25-27)Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark has none of the many teachings of John the Baptist. John’s only task in Mark is to steer us to Jesus.
Mark shows Jesus sharing solidarity with the struggling people seeking repentance. He also shows Jesus receiving the acceptance of the Father: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mk 1:11) This is the first of a series of events in Mark where the description of Jesus changes back and forth between the human and divine. Here we have Jesus sharing the search of sinful humankind for the freedom from sin in John’s baptism. Alongside of it, we have the heavens open in the words of acceptance for the beloved Son. This is the highlight of the Christmas Season: God becoming like us in all things but sin.
A truly interesting point of Mark’s portrayal of the voice from heaven is that only Jesus hears the proclamation. This is the beginning of Mark’s “messianic secret.” Throughout the text, Jesus works diligently to hide his role as the Messiah. After miracles and other displays of power, he repeatedly says, “Tell no one of this.”
The point of this seemingly confusing message is basically simple. Jesus is a Messiah far removed from popular expectations of power, wealth and privilege. It is only in the utter poverty and rejection of the Cross that we have the full and open revelation of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. It is proclaimed in the words of the Roman centurion: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:39).
Mark’s description of Jesus, beginning with the Baptism story, is an invitation for us to take Jesus as he is, in both word and action. He is the wisdom and the power of God as the suffering servant. We are called to enter into this mystery of the beloved Son whose full revelation comes only in the death and resurrection.
We face the constant pull to make Jesus fit our limited expectations. Mark’s Gospel will be our guide this year to be both honest and faithful. Right here in the opening scene, Mark directs us to the true Jesus who will set us free.
