Mark 1:9-15 is one of the Bible readings associated with the start of Lent in the Christian calendar, it recounts the baptism and temptation of Jesus, key events marking the beginning of his public ministry. Here, we witness the divine affirmation of Jesus’ identity, his submission to God’s will, and his victory over temptation.

The passage begins with Jesus coming from Nazareth to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. John’s baptism was a symbol of repentance, but Jesus, being sinless, didn’t need to repent. Nevertheless, he chose to undergo this baptism to fulfil all righteousness and to identify with humanity in our need for redemption. As Jesus emerged from the water, the heavens opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. This moment signifies the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry and the divine affirmation of his identity as the beloved Son of God.

Immediately following his baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This period of temptation lasted forty days, mirroring the forty years the Israelites spent in the wilderness. Jesus faced three temptations from Satan: to turn stones into bread to satisfy his hunger, to test God’s protection by throwing himself off the pinnacle of the temple, and to worship Satan in exchange for dominion over all the kingdoms of the world. In each temptation, Jesus responded with scripture, demonstrating his obedience to God’s will and his authority over temptation.

These temptations represent fundamental challenges to Jesus’ identity and mission. The temptation to turn stones into bread reflects the temptation to prioritize physical needs over spiritual ones, but Jesus affirmed the importance of spiritual sustenance by quoting scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The temptation to throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple challenges Jesus to test God’s faithfulness, but Jesus countered by affirming that one should not put God to the test.

Finally, the temptation to worship Satan in exchange for worldly power challenges Jesus’ allegiance and mission, but Jesus reaffirmed his commitment to worship and serve God alone, quoting scripture: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”

After successfully overcoming these temptations, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom. He declared, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” This message marked the urgency of repentance and faith in light of the Kingdom’s arrival through Jesus’ ministry.

Through Jesus’ example, we are encouraged to resist temptation, remain obedient to God, and actively participate in the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.