I have been reading through the New Testament this year with the help of a devotional Bible that breaks up readings in daily passages. So far, it has taken me through Matthew and Romans, and now I am reading through Mark and I Corinthians.
This past week I read through a passage in Mark 1 that really struck me. I thought about it often as I was going through my week. Wouldn't you know - this morning my pastor, Alistair Begg, preached from this exact text. Here is the text:
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
What really struck me last week was the contrast between Jesus' baptism followed by His temptation in the wilderness. At one moment Jesus hears these incredible affirming words: "You are my Son, with you I am well pleased.". The next moment, Jesus is living in the wilderness with wild animals and facing Satan.
Mark wastes no time introducing us to Christ and setting the context of His time on earth.
Alistair's sermon was really good. You can check it out at the following address - http://www3.parksidechurch.com/category/services-online/.
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