Opposition Begins

Jesus began to proclaim the Kingdom of God in Galilee following the arrest of John the Baptist, an incident that foreshadowed the opposition he would face throughout his ministry. Resistance to him would culminate in his arrest, trial, and execution in Jerusalem. His message brought fulfillment but also adversity. Unlike the prophets of old, his work did NOT begin or center in Jerusalem, though it certainly ended there.

Rend the Heavens!

Jesus first appears in the Gospel of Mark when John baptizes him in the Jordan River. The account identifies him with his hometown, Nazareth, a village of no consequence, though its insignificance plays a role in the story. He is the “Servant of the LORD” anointed by the Spirit who does not conform to popular expectations about the Messiah.

In Spirit and Fire

John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism in water “for the remission of sins,” and he announced the arrival of the “Coming One.” He was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah as promised in Isaiah - “Behold, I send my messenger before your face… The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord.” Jesus is the King of Israel who baptizes his people “in Spirit and Fire.”

The Forerunner

All four gospel accounts apply the same passage from the Book of Isaiah to John the Baptist, the messenger who summoned men to repent “for the remission of sins” in preparation for the Messiah. The passage identifies John as the forerunner who was expected before the “Day of the LORD” - “The voice of one crying, in the wilderness, prepare the way of the LORD” - (Isaiah 40:3-5).

Voice in the Wilderness

The Gospel of Mark opens with a declaration from passages in the Hebrew Bible, providing the scriptural basis for the ministry of John the Baptist. It sets the stage for the mission of Jesus and his proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Thus, Mark’s account begins on a note of fulfillment. The Man from Nazareth is the Messiah and Savior promised by God in the Scriptures.