Disciples Global Network

Redemption and God's Kingdom arrived in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, starting with his baptism by John – Mark 1:1-3. The Gospel of Mark opens with a declaration that combines passages from the Old Testament to provide the scriptural basis for the ministry of John the Baptist , and to set the stage for Christ’s mission . Mark begins with a note of fulfillment.

It was only when he died that the Roman centurion in charge of the execution recognized that Jesus was the Son of God . Everyone in the Gospel of Mark is incapable of recognizing who Jesus is, except for John the Baptist, Peter (momentarily), and the Roman centurion at his execution, and Peter’s moment of insight proved fleeting. Even the Baptist began to question the identity of Christ when he was imprisoned by Herod Antipas.

Jesus is the Son of Abraham, the heir of the promises, and the Messiah who implements the inheritance of his people . The Gospel of Matthew begins by declaring that Jesus is “ the son of David, the son of Abraham .” He is the descendant who fulfills the promises made to the Patriarch. This identification introduces the theme of fulfilment that characterizes Matthew . Through Jesus of Nazareth, the covenant promises become concrete realities.

[ ‘Jesus’ means “Yahweh saves.” In the man of Nazareth, the salvation promised by the God of Abraham has arrived . ] The child carried by Mary was “ begotten of the Holy Spirit ,” and Joseph was instructed to name this child ‘Jesus’: “ Call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins .” The name announced by the angel pointed to the saving act of God that was about to unfold in history – (Matthew 1:20-23).

The reign of Jesus Christ from the Messianic Throne began following his Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation . The New Testament is clear. God made Jesus of Nazareth Lord and Messiah, and there is no other. His reign began when God exalted Christ following his resurrection. “ God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! ” – (Acts 2:36).

Despite his miracle of calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Christ’s disciples still could not recognize who he was – Mark 4:35-41. After teaching the multitude, Jesus left the area to cross the Sea of Galilee, but a violent storm descended suddenly on the lake, frightening the disciples. Storms were common enough on that body of water, and several of the men with Jesus were fishermen familiar with the region’s weather. Their terror indicates this was an especially severe storm.

Jesus is the anointed Son of God whose life and ministry were characterized by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit . The activity of the Spirit dominated the life, words, and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth. He was “ Jesus, the one called Christ ,” the Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.  When  an angel  informed  Joseph that   Mary carried a child  “ conceived   of the Holy Spirit ,” his declaration indicated that something more than a miraculous birth was about to unfold.

The Spirit of God and the voice from heaven confirmed the calling and identity of Jesus, Son, Messiah, and the Servant of the LORD . 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, but he does not conform to popular expectations about the Messiah.

In Mark’s Gospel, no one recognizes who Jesus is except demons. Only in his death on a Roman cross was his identity understood by men . In Galilee, the disciples witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, forgive sins, and even calm violent storms, supernatural acts performed with great authority. However, his words and deeds produced confusion over his identity, and therefore, the question was asked by many, “ Who is this man ?” Only at his execution did a human being finally recognize who he was.

The figure of the Son of Man in the Book of Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation, the Son of Man . The term “ Son of Man ” is the self-designation found most often on the lips of Jesus. It is derived from Daniel’s vision of the one “ like a Son of Man ” who received the “ dominion and kingdom ” from the “ Ancient of Days .” All the tribes of the Earth will mourn when “ they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of Heaven .”

Jesus is the Son of David and heir to the Messianic Throne, the beloved Son of God, and the Suffering Servant of Yahweh . The  Gospel of Matthew  declares Jesus to be the promised “ Son of David .” This same Jesus demonstrated what it means to be the King of Israel, especially through his sacrificial death. Traditionally and scripturally, the hoped-for ideal king was linked to the House of David. With the arrival of the Nazarene, that understanding was forever altered.

Jesus is the One through whom God unlocks scripture, reveals His nature, and provides everlasting life to men and women . Jesus reveals the nature of God. The man from Nazareth embodies the heart and goal of his Father’s creative and redemptive efforts. He is the only One in whom the glory of the Creator is unveiled, and he alone is qualified to interpret His Father. In Christ, all the promises of God for His children find their significance and fulfillment.  The Crucified Messiah is the only source of life and eternal truth.

Following his baptism in the Jordan, the voice from heaven identified Jesus as the Son of God and the Servant of Yahweh . The theme of fulfillment is prominent in Matthew’s gospel. In Jesus of Nazareth, the promises of God have found their prophesied fulfillments. He is the Son of God, the one who is destined to rule the nations of the Earth, albeit in unexpected and unprecedented ways.

The Spirit of God descended on Jesus, equipping him for his Messianic mission. He baptizes his followers in the Holy Spirit and Fire . John proclaim ed   a baptism in water  “ for the remission of sins ,” and  he  announce d  the arrival of  the  “ Coming One .”  John was the Forerunner sent before  the  Messiah as promised in the  Book of Isaiah  -  “ Behold,  I send my messenger before  your  face, to prepare your way … .” Jesus is the King of Israel who baptizes his people “ in Spirit and Fire .”

John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah, the herald of the Good News of the Kingdom of God  – Mark 1:4-8. All four gospel accounts apply the same passage from the  Book of Isaiah  to John the Baptist, the messenger who called all Israel to repent in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival. The  quotation identifies John as the forerunner who was expected before “ the day of the LORD ”:

Jesus is revealed as the Savior of Mankind in his sufferings and self-sacrificial death for others, including his enemies . The inability of men to recognize Jesus as the Son of God until after his crucifixion is a key theme of the Gospel of Mark . Ironically, the first man who did so was the Roman centurion on duty at Christ’s execution. The self-identification of Jesus as the suffering “ Son of Man ” made him unrecognizable to unregenerate men. He was the Savior no one expected or, frankly, wanted.

The conspiracy to unseat the Messiah is applied by the New Testament to the plot to destroy Jesus – Psalm 2:1-6. The Second Psalm is a key passage that the New Testament applies to Jesus, but when were the Psalm’s predictions fulfilled? Is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne or is the world waiting for his enthronement at a future date? What is the revolt of nations and kings against the Son of God?

As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus queried his disciples: Who do men say that I am? At least nine times, the Gospel of Mark declares that Jesus was “ ON THE WAY .” His march to the City of David echoed the words in the Book of Isaiah applied previously to John the Baptist- “ Behold, I send my messenger before your face who will prepare YOUR WAY .”

Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to his people, empowering them to proclaim the Good News of his Kingdom to the Nations of the Earth . The Messiah is identified in the  Second Psalm  as the Son and King destined to reign over the nations. In the New Testament, he is anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, equipping him to proclaim the “ Kingdom of God ” to Israel. He gave his disciples the Gift of the Spirit to enable them to announce his message and sovereignty to all the nations and peoples of the Earth.

Following his Resurrection, Jesus began his reign from the Messianic Throne as prophesied by David  – Psalm 2:6-9. Only Jesus is the Messiah and King of Israel, only he is God’s Anointed.  There will never be another , and all competing claimants to this designation are impostors and liars. This same Jesus reigns over the Earth today. His Kingdom is a present reality, and his reign will be consummated when he returns – (1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Revelation 1:4-6).