Mark: The Spirit Descending

1. Additional Scriptural readings suggested: Mark 1:1-8; Isaiah 64:1

2. A short reading:

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing." (Merton, Thoughts in Solitude. 79)

3. Text for meditation (in Italics):

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. '° And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.

4. Reflections: In Mark 1:5 we read of people coming to John the Baptist from Judea, especially from Jerusalem, for baptism. They were "confessing their sins." No one is mentioned as coming from the north country ofGalilee, that is, until verse 9 when Jesus comes for baptism. The sentence structure of verses 5 and 9 is similar, suggesting a link between them. The people come confessing (verse 5); they have sinned against God. The "Son of God" (verse 1) comes, yielding Himself to baptism as identification with the people (verse 9), not in their sins but in God's desire to save them from those sins.

The mode of baptism is not Mark's issue but what is happening to Jesus. He is baptized and has a tremendous vision. The Lord sees the heavens (or the kingdom) opening, and participates in a direct, unhindered relationship with God the Father. Like- wise, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, as the dove of peace and gentleness. This is a most exquisite vision, which no one else seems to see. Perhaps Mark is thinking about Isaiah 64:1, where the prophet speaks of his desire that God tear the heavens and come down, and in so doing demonstrate His power by shaking the mountains.

Looking closely at the passage, we see the gentle Spirit and the "torn" heavens, a contrast that shows the power of Divine energy, an energy that will be seen many times in Jesus' ministry. The Spirit comes "into" Jesus, more than "upon" Him. This is very important. The Spirit will fill our Lord and provide Him with the power to do miracles and withstand evil. We will see this inner strength in His teachings as well as His ac- tions. In Acts 2: Iff., the Spirit comes to believers in like manner, providing them with Divine power to continue the ministry of Jesus. This reminds us that the Christian life is lived by the power of God. not by human cleverness and the strength of personality.

5. Questions raised today for personal reflection:

When does God "come down" to us? In Exodus 19:1 Of. the Lord God comes down when His people are consecrated to Him. It is in this light that the mid-19th century evangelist Charles G. Finney, a powerful and respected preacher, said revivals of faith are "prayed down." Only God can inflame our hearts. Yet our consecration does not dictate God's movements; sometimes we must wait for Him.

What does "the dove" mean to us? Origen of Alexandria (born 185 AD) suggests: "A dove--a tame, innocent and simple bird. Hence we are taught to copy the innocence of doves." (ACC, 13) The Lord Himself was dove-like in His dealings with others, and so we should be as well. He was not a violent man, but absorbed violence upon Himself. He wants us to be peacemakers, lovers of enemies-like God (Matthew 5:9, 43-48). An- other ancient author points out that the dove comes as a gift from God; the Spirit is sheer gift, undeserved but desired.

6. Suggestions for prayer:

We need to pray that our relationship with God not be hindered by anything, that we may realize immediate access to His graciousness and His forgiveness. This is par- ticularly important since we live in a world largely driven by fear, on the one hand, and commercialism, on the other. Perhaps we need to pray for insight into the person of Je- sus, a deeper appreciation of His uniqueness and a devotion to His calling.