You Are My Son, Whom I Love; With You I Am Well Pleased (Mark 1:9–13)

You Are My Son, Whom I Love; With You I Am Well Pleased (Mark 1:9–13)

In Mark 1:6–8, we see who is truly great before God and what baptism really means. True greatness before God is marked by being full of the Holy Spirit and by helping people to turn back to God, preparing the way for Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins with the spirit and power of Elijah, turning rebellious and sinful hearts back to God.

Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self (the flesh) and rebirth into a new person through the power of God’s resurrection. It teaches us that the flesh not only resists God but cannot submit to Him — so it must die (Romans 8:8). Though we should die and face judgment, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the sins of the world and receive the baptism of death in our place. That is so anyone who believes in Jesus may receive eternal life. Amen!

Mark 1:9-13 tells that Jesus is baptized and tempted in the wilderness.

Jesus Is Baptized (Mark 1:9–11, also Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–22)

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9–11)

Jesus had no need to be baptized — baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was completely without sin. That’s why, when Jesus came to John to be baptized, John tried to stop Him:

“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14)

Yet Jesus insisted on being baptized. Why? Because He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). It was the will of God the Father — set before the creation of the world — that His Son be sacrificed for our sins. That’s why Jesus said to John:

“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. (Matthew 3:15)

This had been foretold 700 years earlier through the prophet Isaiah — that God would be pleased to forgive and cleanse the world through the suffering of His Son:

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)

So Jesus came to die for the sins of the world. But He didn’t stay dead — He was buried and rose again after three days. In the same way, baptism(immersion) doesn’t end with death. It represents dying to the old self and rising again into a new life clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This transformation is made possible only by the precious blood of Jesus, shed as the Lamb of God.

He Saw Heaven Torn Open

When Jesus came up out of the water, He saw heaven torn open…

What’s amazing is that the word “torn open” (schizō in Greek) is the same word used in Mark 15:38, when the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom at Jesus’ death. This shows that Jesus’ baptism was a symbolic foreshadowing of His death on the cross for our sins.

Also, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove. But this doesn’t mean Jesus received the Holy Spirit for the first time here — He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was always one with Him. Instead, this moment reveals that when someone receives the baptism of repentance, the Spirit comes from heaven upon them — just like it did upon Jesus.

The Voice From Heaven…

And again, the voice from heaven said:

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

Just as Isaiah prophesied, God is pleased with His Son’s sacrifice for the world (see also John 1:29). No father enjoys seeing his child suffer — yet God loved the world so much that He gave up His Son. That’s because only the blood of Jesus has the power to save us from our sins.

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness (Mark 1:12–13; also Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13)

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1:12–13)

Right after being baptized, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. Mark gives a brief account, but Matthew and Luke describe the details of each temptation.

As the Son of God, Jesus cannot be tempted in the same way as we are:

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)

So why was Jesus tempted? Because He came as the second (last) Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). He became the Son of Man to carry the sins of the world.

Jesus fasted for forty days and nights. Unlike Adam, who was tempted in a perfect garden, Jesus was tempted in the harsh desert. He was hungry, surrounded by wild animals, and needed the care of angels. This test in the wilderness shows the true humanity of Jesus — fully God, but also fully man — who overcame temptation and remained without sin.

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

First, the devil tempted Jesus by targeting His hunger. “The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’” (Matthew 4:3)

This temptation was pushing Jesus to solve His hunger problem Himself—suggesting that if He truly were the Son of God, He shouldn’t be suffering. This kind of temptation often comes to believers in everyday life—right in the middle of our stress, responsibilities, and pressing challenges.

But Jesus overcame this temptation with the Word of God. “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3)

The background to this verse is God’s daily provision of manna from heaven for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness—except on the seventh day. God, as the Creator, rules all things He has made, running the universe with perfect precision. He also feeds, clothes, and protects people and animals alike. Sunlight and rain are clear signs of His care. Looking back on our own lives, we’ve all faced hardship—but we’ve also experienced God’s grace in His provision.

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.”

Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and placed Him on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:6; Psalm 91:11–12)

Since Jesus had used Scripture to resist, the devil tried quoting Scripture too—this time, Psalm 91. That psalm is indeed a promise of God’s protection. But the devil twisted it to tempt Jesus. He was suggesting: “If you’re really the Son of God, then surely God will protect you even if you jump.”

This is how the devil misuses God’s promises—by pulling verses out of context. It’s called cherry picking. For example, Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” If you isolate that verse, you might think believers should never face lack. But later, Psalm 23 also says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley…” (Psalm 23:4a). Lacking nothing and walking through the darkest valley might seem contradictory, but the psalmist continues: “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4b)

God’s Word is progressive revelation. Every verse is true and without error, and all Scripture together reveals God’s consistent truth. The Bible shows that God is love. How does He show His love? It is a love that patiently endures pain and gave His own Son as a sacrifice. So when believers share in Christ’s sufferings, they also share in the holy love of God.

Jesus again resisted the devil by quoting Scripture. “Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:16)

Yes, Psalm 91 is a real promise—but Jesus makes it clear: we are not to test God. Obedience to God's will must come first. Jesus obeyed God's will to the point of death on a cross. But then God raised Him from the dead on the third day and gave Him a glorified, resurrected body. That fulfilled Psalm 91—and indeed all of Scripture.

God will never put to shame those who obey His Word. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32–33)

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, and said: “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8–9)

This was a deadly temptation—to worship the devil instead of God. This is idolatry. Sadly, many fall for this today.

But the devil lied. All glory and power belong to God alone. Though Satan is a created being—once a glorious angel, a morning star—he rebelled against God, lost his place, and now lives under God’s curse, awaiting judgment (Isaiah 14:12–15).

Again, Jesus used Scripture to defeat him. “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 6:13)

Jesus commanded Satan to leave. Worship belongs to God alone—the Creator. Satan is not someone to negotiate with. He must be resisted. As James wrote: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

The devil is always looking to destroy. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

God created everything and said it was good. That means all creation exists according to His will and purpose. Though the world is full of war, conflict, hatred, and chaos—God still reigns without being shaken. Everything will eventually be exposed by God’s judgment. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

God is forever worthy of glory, praise, honor, power, and authority. Only the Creator God is worthy of all worship. The apostle John was taken up into heaven to witness this glory firsthand:

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come. Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” (Revelation 4:8–11)

June 22, 2025
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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.