The Pattern for Victory (Part 1)

Mark 1:9-11

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

In the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke present the historical events of Jesus’ baptism and temptation in order to identify Jesus’ true identity and to show that He is absolutely qualified to be the Savior of the world.

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river by John the Baptist, the heavens were torn apart and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, anointing Him and empowering Him for His public ministry. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The purpose of Jesus’ baptism was to identify Jesus as the promised Messiah (cf. John 1:29–34), to empower Him for ministry (Acts 10:38), and to identify Himself with sinners.

The Holy Spirit descending upon Him and the voice from heaven identified Jesus as the Messiah. The Holy Spirit descending upon Him also empowered Jesus for ministry. How did He identify Himself with sinners? To understand this, you must step back and consider who the many were who were being baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.

We learn in Mark 1:5 that John the Baptist was baptizing repentant sinners: “And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.”

When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John the Baptist tried to prevent Him because his baptism was for repentant sinners, not for the Holy One, Jesus (Matt. 3:14). That is also why John said, “I need to be baptized by You.” John was identifying Jesus’ sinlessness and identity.

Jesus responded to John, saying, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus, always doing what pleased the Father, fulfilled God’s will and was baptized by John in the Jordan River among sinners. At that moment, Jesus, who is sinless, identified Himself with sinners, foreshadowing the purpose of His coming; to die on the cross as our substitute for the sins of mankind.

In patterning our lives for victory we must pattern the Victor, Jesus, in this incredible account of His inauguration for ministry. 

First, Jesus was endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit for ministry. We, as believers, are also indwelt by the Holy Spirit. If we are to pattern ourselves after the Victor, Jesus, we too must depend upon the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and service.

Second, we must fulfill all righteousness, meaning that, like our Victor Jesus, we must submit ourselves to God’s will in our daily lives and service—seeking to please Him rather than ourselves. We cannot expect to be empowered by the Holy Spirit if we are not following God’s will in our daily lives.

This week, begin each day with the Lord by spending time alone with Him in His Word and in prayer. Let this be a time of intimate communion with Him and preparation to live in the Spirit, so you can, by the power of the Holy Spirit, commit yourself to obey God and do His will, following the example of Jesus, our Victor. 

"Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless." Charles Spurgeon