9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:9-11 KJV)
William Burkitt New Testament
See the note on Mt 3:13.
Observe here, 1. The great condescension of Christ, in seeking and submitting to the baptism of John: Christ, though he was John’s Lord and Master, yea, Lord of heaven and earth, yet cometh to hear John preach, and will be baptized of his messenger.
Thence learn, That the greatest persons should neither think themselves too great, nor too good, to come unto the ministers of God, to hear the word from their mouth, or to receive the sacrament at their hand. Christ the Son of God was content to be baptized by John, a mean person in comparison of himself. How dare then the greatest upon earth despise the ministry of man, being appointed by God?
Observe, 2. The solemn investing of Christ with the office of Mediator, by a threefold miracle; namely, the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Holy Ghost, and God the Father’s voice or testimony concerning his Son; the heavens were opened, to show, that heaven, which was closed and shut against us for our sins, is now opened to us by Christ’s undertaking for us. As Christ opened heaven by his meritorious passion, so he keeps it open by his prevailing intercession.
Next, the Holy Ghost descends like a dove upon our Saviour. Here we have proof and evidence of the Blessed Trinity. The Father speaks from heaven, the Son comes out of the water, and the Holy Ghost descends in the likeness of a dove. But why did the Holy Ghost now descend upon Christ?
First, for the designation of his person, to show that he was the Person set apart for his word and office of a mediator.
Secondly, for the sanctification of his person for the performance of that office. This was Christ’s unction, the day on which he was anointed above his fellows to be the King, Priest, and Prophet, of his church: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, he hath anointed me, Isa 61:1, &c.
Observe, 3. the voice of God the Father pronounced,
(1.) The nearness of Christ’s relation to himself: This is my Son.
(2.) The endearedness of his person: This is my beloved Son.
(3.) The fruit and benefit of his near and dear relation unto us: In whom I am well pleased.
Hence learn, That there is no possibility for a person to please God out of Christ; neither our persons nor our performances can find acceptance but through him, and for his sake;–that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Ground and Cause of all that love which God the Father showeth to the sons of men. In Christ, God is well pleased with us, as a reconciled Father; out of him, a consuming Fire.
BURKITT: | Mark 1:1 | Mark 1:2 | Mark 1:3 | Mark 1:4 | Mark 1:5 | Mark 1:6 | Mark 1:7 | Mark 1:8 | Mark 1:9-11 | Mark 1v12-13 | Mark 1:14-15 | Mark 1:16-20 | Mark 1:21-22 | Mark 1:23-27 | Mark 1:28-31 | Mark 1:32-34 | Mark 1:35 | Mark 1:36-39 | Mark 1:40-45 |