The Voice: Present and Absent
Mark opens his gospel repeating a prophesy from Isaiah. The voice was prophesied as a prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah himself. The last book in the Old Testament (“O. T.”) in its final verses reminds us that God was going to send a prophet like Elijah who was to come and turn the hearts of the fathers and their children. Of course, we know that it was John the Baptist who was the Elijah-like prophet. Sometimes we ignore the several verses in Malachi which reminded God’s people not to forget the Law of Moses given to him on Horeb (Sinai). Remember both Moses and Elijah when we get to Mark 9.
Today’s lesson will focus on the VOICE. Last week we read Psalm 29 together that mentions the voice seven times. Let’s go back and fill in the blanks for each use:
- The voice of the LORD is _______________________________(v3)
- The voice of the LORD is _______________________________(v4)
- The voice of the LORD is _______________________________(v4b)
- The voice of the LORD breaks ____________________________(v5)
- The voice of the LORD strikes with_________________________(v7)
- The voice of the LORD shakes____________________________(v8)
- The voice of the LORD twists ____________________________(v9)
If you were to summarize the uses of “voice” above, how would you describe the voice?
Mark quickly reminds his readers that John the Baptist is not the Messiah, rather just the messenger (forerunner) of the one to come. John said, “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” With what does Mark tell us the Messiah will baptize with?
In our baptism today, the pastor is the vehicle or God’s messenger (under shepherd) that is the voice so to speak who says, “Water and Word,” which provides a connection to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Today we’re going to search three very important events in Mark’s gospel. The first is Jesus’ baptism. Read Mark 1: 9-13.
Mark is quick to remind us of that God’s Spirit descended “on Him.” Why did the Son of God need to be baptized? Or did he?
Listen to an excerpt from Halley’s Bible Handbook: “Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His earthly ministry. There appears to be several reasons for Jesus’ baptism:
- To fulfill all righteousness.
- Represented Jesus being consecrated to God and publicly approved by Him.
- Public announcement of the Messiah.
- Allowed Jesus to fully identify with man’s sin and failure and being out substitute.”
What happened to Jesus immediately following his baptism? Matthew provides much more details about our Lord’s temptation in the desert. Regardless of Mark’s brief dialogue of the baptism and temptation, he quickly reminds you and me that God’s angels tended to him!
Let’s examine our own baptism with regard to who tends to us. Is it different that who attended to Jesus’ needs? Explain your position.
The Transfiguration
Our next stop is the Mount (Hermon?) where God’s glory was displayed. Go to Mark 9:1-13. Remember the closing verses in Malachi? Malachi tells us about Moses and Elijah . . .and here they are!
Jesus took his insiders with Him on the Mount. Why is the event important to Peter, James, and John? And to Jesus’ ministry and to you and me today?
Mark quotes Peter, “It is good for us to be here.” Why did Peter say this? Peter never forgot, and in fact he restates his witness of the Lord’s glory in his 2nd epistle (1:14-18). Peter’s own destiny is close by the words in 2 Peter, but his confidence is not shaken.
The voice is present again. Describe the scene in Mark 9. Picture these three apostles enveloped in a cloud and hearing God’s voice. God’s presence in the cloud is not a new thing, rather a reminder that God was omnipresent to the children of Israel in the desert in the cloud and the pillar. Imagine their walk down the mountain to rejoin their colleagues! Go to Acts 2:2ff. What’s the connection between the transfiguration and the Pentecost?
Verse 9:12 reminds you and me today that Jesus’ earthly ministry would be rejection by His people and that He must suffer much!
In future lessons, we’re going to examine Jesus and his compassion shown to many who came to Him. So let’s review. The voice appears at Jesus’ baptism and then again, we hear and see the voice/cloud on the mountain to a select few.
The final of the three events takes place in Jerusalem where Jesus had repeatedly told his disciples that He would suffer and die. Go to Mark 15:33-39. Where’s the voice now? Jesus was abandoned by His Heavenly Father. Instead of God being a Light to lighten the Gentiles, we see God forsaking His one and only Son.
Paint the picture of Calvary. What time of day was it? What was the day like? It’s not normal for darkness at the sixth hour. The darkness represents the blackness of sin that rested on Jesus’ shoulder. God abandoned him just like God will abandon those who denied the Messiah at His final coming. Now, the earthquake where tombs were opened, and the rocks split. And the temple’s curtain was rent and the barrier between God and mankind disappears.
- Darkness covers the whole land
- Earthquake (not mentioned in Mark)
- Temple curtain torn.
God’s voice was present and then removed. The missing voice in the crucifixion reminds us that God had left His Son to take the punishment of sin – once and for all.
Do you think John Mark’s mother was present at the crucifixion?
Today, the means of grace brings the “voice of God” to you and me. What are the means of grace? Listen carefully as the LORD speaks to you and me as we regularly read and study His Word.