God Is Three In One – Mark 1
Quickly we see the Lord Jesus in snapshots: his arrival after John's preparation, baptism, forty days of temptation, calling the disciples, driving out demons, and the message he preached: "Repent! The kingdom of God is at hand! Believe the Good News!" Mark quickly takes us into the action of the ministry of Jesus.
By the end of the first chapter the Lord Jesus was already popular and followed by crowds of people. Most looked for the Lord Jesus to heal them or drive out demonic powers. The demons knew who the Lord Jesus was. They called him "the Holy One of God", but the Lord Jesus commanded them to be quiet. The Lord Jesus did not want any hype from the world. What he was sent to do would be accomplished with no help from the world.
The Lord Jesus was God's servant. We don't learn anything about his virgin birth, genealogy, or his family. We are simply thrust into the action with the baptism of Jesus and the Holy Spirit who drove him out into the wilderness. The Lord Jesus went through forty days of temptation by the devil. It was significant that this testing period lasted forty days. We see this same pattern in scripture with men whom God prepared to serve him.
After the time of testing the Lord Jesus immediately began his ministry in Galilee. He called his disciples and preached in synagogues. Those who heard him were amazed at his authority and especially when he cast demons out of a man in the congregation. So the devil attended church and sat in a pew. These demons would not tolerate the presence of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus drove the demons out. He healed many people of diseases, including Peter's mother-in-law and a leper.
We have an example of the Lord Jesus spending solitary time in prayer with God. The disciples searched for him and told him that everyone looked for him. Instead of enjoying the popularity the Lord Jesus informed them he was leaving for other villages. He went to preach the gospel through the region of Galilee.
In Mark's gospel the Lord Jesus is presented as God's servant. He preached the gospel, healed the sick, and cast out devils. All of this proved he was the Messiah of God which was promised in the Old Testament.
Mark 1:15, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
This message is for us today. Let us turn to God in repentance and put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is God's Messiah. He will return again and set up his kingdom on this earth.
The gospel of Mark began with the ministry of John the Baptist. He fulfilled prophecy in Isaiah which pointed to a voice in the wilderness. This voice in the wilderness prepared the way for the Lord. John was a forerunner of the Lord Jesus and prepared men for the arrival of the Messiah. The thrust of John's message was that men should repent immediately because the kingdom was approaching.
We have a physical description of John the Baptist. This was similar to the physical description of Elijah. Both wore leather belts and lived outside the world system. John ate locusts and wild honey. Elijah was fed by ravens and by a widow in Zarephath. Both men were sustained by God. The Lord was their provider. He was their provision. Prophets in the Bible received provision directly from the Lord. They received direct revelation, instruction, and guidance from the Lord. This was the kind of relationship the Lord wanted with everyone in the house of faith. He is the bread of life, he is the living waters, he is the God who holds our hand. However, only a remnant step out in faith and trust the Lord with their lives. They completely stake their name, reputation, and life upon the name of the Lord.
John pointed us to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus acknowledged the ministry of John the Baptist. We do not need any confirmation from anyone else except the Lord for our work and ministry. The Lord confirmed John's ministry and pointed out that John did fulfill the work of Elijah's ministry. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. It is interesting how often this was pointed out. However, John the Baptist never did miracles. He only preached repentance and pointed men to the Lord Jesus.
We should follow the example of John the Baptist. We need to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and point men to the Savior. We are ambassadors for Christ with the word of reconciliation. We plead with men to be reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Mark 1:9-11, "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Men who read this verse and deny that God is three in one are beyond my understanding. These verses describe God as three persons in one God. Here we see the Son of God Jesus Christ. Here we see the Holy Spirit who is God. And we also hear the voice of the Father from heaven who is also God. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This three in one God is reflected in creation, and is reflected specifically through Israel, Church, and the nations. We see this three in one nature in the roles of prophet, priest, and king. The three in one nature of God was seen in the one ark of the covenant which contained the three elements of the tables of the covenant, Aaron's rod that budded, and the golden pot of manna. (See also Hebrews 9:4).
The doctrine of trinity is not a negotiable side issue. If anyone rejects God as three in one they reject the true God. God is three in one. The longer I go on the more convinced I become that those who reject the trinity of God have never met him. If a man meets God he will know who he is. There is no mistake about that.
The Lord Jesus affirmed the truth of God "three in one" in a final instruction to his followers.
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
