And There are Three

 

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

AND THERE ARE THREE

Mark 1:9-11

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 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."

NIV

This is one of the most monumental moments in time. Of course, we would consider the creation as the very first and most important moments in time, as this is when time also began and all events are relative from that moment. However, we cannot be sure that all three of the trinity were present at one time in one place, other than before they decided to create man in their image, but then they were somewhere other than on earth and a moment in time. Here, Mark tells us that Jesus arrived on the scene at the Jordon River where John was baptizing. Mark, just gets to the point and gives us no details about the conversation between Jesus and John, which is recorded in another gospel. However, the important information Mark does record. When Jesus was coming out of the water heaven was opened and the Spirit descended on him like a dove. Now that does not mean it appeared as a dove, but that the Spirit descended in the same manner as a dove would. However, it could have been in the image of a dove, but then the people would have only seen a dove, a common sight, but still a common emblem of peace and tranquility. So the Spirit could have been in the physical form as a dove, or simply descending in the manner a dove does. Either way, the Spirit came upon Jesus when the heavens were opened. This phrase was also used then Stephen was being stoned, the heavens were opened. This could have been as if the clouds rolled away with lighting and thunder, perhaps allowing a vision of that which is above beyond normally out of sight. It must have been a very impressive moment for those who were there. But then if that was not enough, the very voice of God, the voice of the Father was heard proclaiming Jesus as his Son, whom he loves and is well pleased. We have to know that everyone heard this voice, otherwise how would Mark know to record it, unless Jesus relayed all this information. But we would think when God spoke everyone there heard it, just as they saw the Spirit. What we learn from all this is that we too should be baptized because we follow Jesus. There is a great debate over the form of baptism regarding immersion. We will leave that debate to others, as what we know is that we too went down into the water and came up out of the water, which for us meant we were immersed in the water, as we believe Jesus was immersed. Nevertheless, we too received the Spirit, as did Jesus. What we notice is that the Spirit descended, but Mark nor the other gospel writers tell us the Spirit left him, ascending back into heaven. We also know the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where he faced the temptations common to man. The Spirit is still resting upon or within us and is still leading us, however, not to be tempted, but to see the truth. Then we also have to consider, have we ever heard the voice of God. What I know is that I have heard a voice several times in my life, and each time a miracle followed. This is my personal testimony, of which I write in the first person. We can be sure of the three persons of God, so that is why we would be Trinitarians in our theology. We can also be sure that the Spirit is still at work in this world as we know without a doubt that he is within us as this seal of our salvation, our redemption, and our future resurrection. This story, this record of the trinity being present all together is not for the benefit of Jesus, but for us, to know God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What a powerful moment in time, yet each day of our lives is just as powerful because we are in Christ and He is in us and we have the Spirit dwelling with us, and the voice of God speaks into our life. He says to us, you are my son, and I am pleased with you.