Heaven Tears Open

Mark 1:9-11 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.”
 
FIRST, we note Mark tells us essential details of Jesus’ origin. Coming from Nazareth in Galilee confirms he is the one Joseph and Mary took to Nazareth on their return from Egypt. (Matthew 2:23) Then the Father confirms Jesus’ identity. “You are my Son.”
   When Jesus comes out of the water, he sees heaven torn open. God the Father has drawn back heaven’s curtain to reveal God the Son to the world. Here is Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Here is Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence! Here is Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
   Here comes the light into the darkness. Here comes God’s majestic authority into his creation. Here is God’s holiness to remove sin’s arrogant rule over mankind’s heart. Here comes God’s power to overcome even the great enemy Death. The heavens tear open, and the Spirit of God anoints the Son of God to do the will of God in the power of God.
   And so he does. Jesus resists temptation, heals the sick, preaches the Good News, submits to the cross, rises from the grave, and ascends to heaven. Heaven has opened. Jesus has come to seek, to serve and to save you. One day he will return. “Men of Galilee,” the angels said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
   Throughout the gospels, wherever Jesus goes, people want to know, “Where did this man get such things?” (Mark 6:2) “Who is he?” (John 9:36) “Who is he that even the winds obey him?” (Matthew 8:27) “What is in this man’s words that even demons obey him?” (Luke 4:36 TLB)
   “Who is he?” indeed. The Father plainly spoke Jesus’ identity that day of his baptism. And the Father repeated his plain message in Jesus’ transfiguration before James, John and Peter (Mark 9). The Son has also confirmed who he is, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) What else must we know?
   One day we will all plainly see: On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Jesus is King of Kings and LORD of Lords. Ane he shall reign forever. Amen. (Revelation 19:16)