Mark 1:9-11 “From the Jordan to the Cross”

Suggested Praise Songs:

• “Way Maker” by Leeland
• “Beloved” by Jordan Feliz

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• “The Baptism of Jesus” Song for Kids
• “The Baptism of Jesus” Bible Story for Kids (from Saddleback Kids)
• Questions for Children:
  • What is Baptism?
    • It is like taking a shower/bath.
    • It is a way to show everyone you want to follow Jesus. It is like a picture showing your heart is cleansed because of Jesus.
    • It is a way of telling people that you are a part of God’s family.
  • Why do you think Jesus chose to be baptized, even though He didn’t have any sins to ask forgiveness for?
    • Encourage children to think about how Jesus was showing us the importance of following God’s plan and taking on the responsibility of saving us from our sins.
  • What does it mean when God says, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased”? How do you think it feels to know that God loves and is pleased with Jesus—and us too?
    • Help children reflect on God’s love for Jesus and how, through Jesus, we are also loved and accepted by God.

Explanation:

The phrase “at that time” (verse 9) refers to when John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing in the wilderness of Judea. The name “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew name “Yeshua” or “Joshua,” meaning “The Lord saves.” The mention of Jesus coming “from Nazareth in Galilee” tells us He lived in a small, humble town far from where John was baptizing. Mark doesn’t mention Galileans coming to John (verse 5), which makes Jesus’ long journey to the Jordan a significant moment.

Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. Earlier, Mark described John’s baptism as “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (verse 4). This raises the question: Did Jesus need forgiveness? Mark already made it clear that Jesus is “the Son of God” (verse 1). As the sinless Son of God, He had no need for repentance. Instead, His baptism was an act of identifying with humanity and taking on the burden of our sins. In a sense, the journey to the cross began here at the Jordan.

John’s baptisms involved full immersion—being submerged in the water and then rising out of it. When Jesus came out of the water, “he saw heaven being torn open” (verse 10). The Greek word schizo, meaning “to tear apart,” suggests something powerful and dramatic. It symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Jesus also saw “the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” This doesn’t mean the Spirit looked like a dove but that it came gently and peacefully, like a dove landing softly.

Then, Jesus heard a voice from heaven saying, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased” (verse 11). This recalls God’s words to Abraham in Genesis 22:2, where Isaac is called “your son, your only son, whom you love.” It also echoes Psalm 2:7, where the Messiah is declared to be God’s Son. These words remind us of the connection between Isaac on Mount Moriah and Jesus on the cross.

Reflection:

John the Baptist proclaimed, “Someone more powerful than I will come after me” (verse 7). That someone was Jesus. When Jesus came to be baptized, Matthew’s Gospel tells us that John hesitated, recognizing who Jesus was. But Jesus reassured him, saying, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

“Righteousness” here means carrying out God’s plan and purpose. God’s purpose for Jesus and John was to address the problem of sin. Jesus’ baptism wasn’t about His own sins but about taking on the sins of humanity. By being baptized, Jesus was saying, “I will bear the sins of all people.” His decision to go to the cross started at the Jordan.

When Jesus made this decision, God responded. First, God showed that the barrier of sin separating humanity from Him would be torn down. This was symbolized when the heavens were torn open at Jesus’ baptism and later when the temple curtain was torn in two as Jesus died on the cross (Mark 15:38). The curtain had represented the separation between God and people because of sin. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, that separation was removed, and now we can approach God directly and confidently (Hebrews 4:16).

God also anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and affirmed Him with words of love and trust: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.” These words confirmed Jesus’ mission and God’s full support.

This is how the gospel of Jesus Christ began. Jesus left His quiet life in Nazareth and came to the Jordan to fully commit Himself to God’s mission. Because of His grace, we can now call God “Abba, Father” and live in His love. For this, we give thanks.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our Savior, we remember Your great love and sacrifice. Though we had separated ourselves from God through sin, You took on the weight of our guilt and died on the cross to reconcile us to Him. Your grace is overwhelming, and we humbly rely on it. Thank You for making a way for us to stand before God. Help us live out this gospel and share it with others. Amen.