We are told that John was a man “sent from God.” Anybody who has even been used by God, whether as a Sunday School teacher, a deacon or a minister, has at one time or another felt a deep sense of unworthiness. In fact, any believer who grows in grace and spends any time at all in God’s presence is often brought face to face with their own weaknesses and lack. It was Jesus Christ who so eloquently said, “I must decrease, He must increase.”
This brief passage of Scripture is full of importance. Mark’s gospel is like that; often a very few verses yield a treasure trove of information. Let’s notice some things about Jesus that day. He was:
1. Decided, verse 9. At this time, John the Baptist had achieved an almost celebrity status among the people. Folk from all over were coming to him to be baptized. But Jesus was not simply following the crowd to this popular desert preacher. Up to this point in our Lord’s life, this was the most decisive and important step for Him to take. It implied the forsaking of all earthly ties of human relationship; the perfect obedience and surrender to the will of His Father; and as His one and only Son, the public declaration of His character as a teacher sent from God, as as the perfect Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world.
From Nazareth to the river Jordan, Jesus took a solemn journey to God. Have you taken the journey? Have you yielded you your life to God? Have you decided to let God’s will be done in you? Is it the burning desire of your heart that your life should glorify the Father?
2. Accepted, verse 10. Jesus offered Himself to His Father, and He was immediately accepted of the Father, through the opened heavens. As sinners, we yield ourselves to be saved; as sons we yield ourselves to Him for service. Every unsurrendered son is robbing God of the fruit of his life.
Many believers think that their lives aren’t worth very much; that there isn’t much they can do for God. Never, ever think that. Your life was redeemed by the precious blood of God’s only Son! If you wish to see the heavens opened before you, present yourselves to God.
3. Anointed, verse 10. This anointing–the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, who empowers you for service–is available to all whose lives have been surrendered to Christ. All of Christ’s words and works were spoken and done in the power of the Spirit. This same baptism is for all children of God (Acts 1:8; 19:2).
4. Assured, verse 11. Like Enoch, Jesus walked with God, and also had this amazing testimony that He pleased God. This is another blessing that belongs to those who have dedicated their lives to God. The anointing of the Holy Ghost always brings with it the comforting voice of God; a sweet reassurance that our lives do indeed belong to God, the He is pleased with us, that He accepts us and that He loves us.
5. Impelled, verse 12. The word “send” is a very strong word in the Greek. The exact same word is used in John 2:15, where Jesus was so angry he “drove” the money changers out of the Temple area with a whip. The leading of the Spirit in the consecrated, dedicated life is an inscrutable but mighty controlling impulse. The leading of the Holy Ghost is not a “fancy,” not a “whim,” but the sovereign, governmental authority of God in the soul. As the wind impels the ship, so the Holy Ghost drives the life that has been launched on the ocean of God’s will. Driven by the Spirit! What a driver!
Who holds the reigns of your life? The Holy Spirit of God? Or the spirit that works in the hearts of the children of disobedience?
6. Tested, verse 13.
It is interesting that it was not until Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost that the tempter came. This is something every child of God should take note of. The kingdom of Satan is in no danger until we are born again and filled with the Spirit of God. We are of no consequence to the Devil until we start serving God. At that time, we become Satan’s mortal enemies. The war against “principalities and powers” begins the moment our names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. No matter how fierce the battle may be, we have the firm and absolute promise in God’s Word that the Spirit of God within us is infinitely greater or stronger than the spirit of evil in the world!
7. He testified, verse 14. Luke, in his gospel, tells us that Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. He came back from the conflict against the Evil One victorious, as we can be! When He returned, Jesus began to preach; to testify about the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, too, we are to follow in His footsteps.
If the power of the Holy Ghost has come upon us; if He resides within us, it is that we might be witnesses for Him! The early disciples filled Jerusalem with their testimonies; let us do the same.
You wrote:
“The leading of the Holy Ghost is not a “fancy,” not a “whim,” but the sovereign, governmental authority of God in the soul.”
If more Christians could just “get” this point, so much of the enemy’s plans might be foiled. I believe it is critically important to the work of God that Christians KNOW the difference between the leading of the Spirit and a “feeling” or idea that is nagging at them — if not, they become a tool in the hands of the very force they think they are fighting.
Excellent post, Mike.