Son of God: BaptismAnd a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (1:11)

On the verge of his public life, Jesus presents himself to John for baptism in the Jordan.

John’s baptism was a sign to repent and make ready for the Messiah. Why did Jesus ask for it?

Notice the symbols of the Trinity (Three-in-One-God): voice (sign of Father), Jesus (Son), dove (sign of Spirit).

Son of God: TransfigurationThen a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (9:7)

This seems a sneak preview of the resurrection.

symbols of the divine: the mountain; the dazzling brilliance; a cloud; the mysterious voice

Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) appear either side of Jesus.

Son of God: Sanhedrin Trial

Jesus answers: “I am ...and you will all see the Son of Man seated on the right of the Almighty and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

He is quoting from Daniel This secures for the

Sanhedrin the blasphemy charge.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” (14:61)

Son of God: the High Priest The High

Priest tore his garments when he heard Jesus’ answer. Why?

Jesus is then mocked and hit.

Son of God: Sanhedrin

The president of the Sanhedrin was the high priest.

The 70 members of the Sanhedrin were drawn mainly from the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

The name ‘Sanhedrin’ means ‘council’.

The Sanhedrin was the highest court of Jewish law.

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Son of God: Christians Today A messianic title It means that one

has come from God and is God’s presence on earth

Not a title the Jews would chuck at anyone

Belongs only to the long-promised Messiah who would establish God’s reign in justice and peace and would defeat evil

So for Christians today, to call Jesus the Son of God means accepting that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s promised one.

Jesus is sent by the Father, possesses the Holy Spirit, and so presents the true face of God to humanity.

For Christians, Jesus is not just a great prophet or leader, like Elijah or Moses.

‘Listen to him’ gets across that Jesus is the focus of all the teaching and prophecy in Hebrew Scriptures. He is the fulfilment of these scriptures.

Rewrite the False Statements ‘Son of God’ was the most

common title Jesus gave himself in St Mark’s Gospel.

Baptism comes from a Greek word for ‘plunging’.

In the account of Jesus’ baptism the dove is a symbol of peace.

It was shortly before he died when Jesus was baptised by John.

The Baptism of John the Baptist has the same meaning as the Baptism in Christianity.

In St Mark’s Gospel there are two incidents when a mysterious voice speaks from heaven.

The Sanhedrin was the Highest Roman Court of Justice.

In answering the High Priest, Jesus quoted from the Prophet Isaiah.

Moses and Elijah appeared either side of Jesus during the Transfiguration.

Peter, Andrew & John were part of the ‘inner circle’ of Jesus’ disciples.

Christ/Messiah ‘Christ’ is not Jesus’

surname. It is a title. The Hebrew version

is Messiah - in English it means ‘anointed one’.

To be anointed is to have oil poured on your head.

It was a sign that God had chosen someone for a special purpose

Priests, prophets and kings were anointed in the OT

Messiah – King David’s line The line of kings from

David died out in 586 BC

Yearning for a new king, a Messiah of David’s line

People expected a Messiah who would bring God’s rule to earth, to establish peace and justice in the land.

Some thought of a warrior-king, someone to smash the Romans and free Israel of all occupying armies.

Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout with gladness, daughter of Jerusalem! See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the bow of war will be banished. He will proclaim peace for the nations. His empire shall stretch from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth. from Zechariah’s prophecy (c. 520-517) after the Jewish exile.

Caesarea Philippi 8: 27-30 A classy town some

40 km to the north of Galilee

It was near here that there is a crucial turning point in the Gospel

Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is

Various answers – Elijah or another prophet, John the Baptist returned, and so on.

Jesus directs the question at them. What do they think?

Caesarea Philippi 8: 27-30‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’ (8:29)

An incredible insight – you are the one promised, the one prophesied of old, the one to establish God’s reign on earth

Jesus then predicts his coming suffering

Blind Bartimaeus 10: 46-52 The setting, Jericho, is on the pilgrim’s Passover route to

Jerusalem. It was an ancient city, lying well below sea level Journey to Jerusalem is a steep climb

Blind Bartimaeus 10: 46-52 ‘Jesus! Son of

David! Take pity on me!’ (10:47)

‘Son of David’ is a messianic title

Means ‘David’s descendant’

Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the road, suggesting that he’s now a new disciple.

Entry to Jerusalem 11: 1-11‘Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father! Praise God!’ (11:9-10)

The pilgrims flocking to Jerusalem acclaim Jesus with messianic cries.

Echoes of the Prophet Zechariah: See now, your king comes to you; he is victorious, he is triumphant, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zc 9:9)

Entry to Jerusalem 11: 1-11 Kings like David and Solomon

would have ridden in for their coronation on a splendid warhorse

Jesus rides in on a lowly beast of burden, a young donkey.

How many of the people who shouted ‘God bless him!’ will be shouting ‘Crucify him!’ in five days’ time?

St Mark will spend a third of his Gospel on this last week

For Christians today Christians believe that

Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ …

… the one who sets up God’s Kingdom on earth, establishes justice and peace and conquers enemies.

What enemies? The answer is evil, slavery to sin and death.

These ‘inner oppressors’ block humans having life in all its fullness – now and in eternity.

ExerciseWhat title did St Mark first give Jesus?A Lord B ChristC Son of God Which event in Jewish history led to increased expectation of the Messiah?A Exodus led by Moses from EgyptB Exile in BabylonC Building of Solomon’s Temple Near to which town did Peter declare Jesus to be the Christ?A JerichoB Caesarea PhilippiC Caesarea

Which of the following is not an alternative for ‘Christ’?A MessiahB Son of ManC Anointed One When, in Mark’s Gospel, does Jesus first speak of his coming suffering?A after the TransfigurationB after Peter declares him as ChristC during the Last Supper Jesus asked his disciples for secrecy about his being the Messiah – why?A charges of blasphemy, not a warrior-messiahB wasn’t really sure of himselfC pagans might hear about him