Religion

The Baptism Of Jesus.

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John his cousin in the River Jordan. As Jesus was coming out of the water he saw heaven being opened and a spirit/dove came down and said ' you are my son whom i love, with you i am well pleased.' At once the spirits sent him out into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.

Symbolism.

• The heavens opened.
• Symbolic of the presence of God.

The Dove

•  A symbol of the holy spirit & peace.
• Jesus experienced the peace of God in his heart.

Why did Jesus Go Into The Desert?

To show his faith.

How long did he stay there for and what was the significance of this amount of time?

Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights. The significance was that Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai at this time.

What do the wild animals and satan remind you off?

In the old testament terms wild animals would kill young children so i think they represent evil.

What was the significance of the angels?

The Significance of the angels was to guide him on his journey.

Marks end of Jesus' years as a carpenter and start of his lie as a traveling preacher.

The Baptism of Jesus is a key even in Mark's Gospel. 

1.) The Heavens opened symbolises the presence of God

2.) The Dove symbolises the spirit of God/peace, They interpret this imagery to mean that Jesus expirenced the peace of God in his heart.

3.) The voice from heaven makes it clear who Jesus was and that he had devine approval.

Casarea Philippi

Jesus and his deciples went on to the villiage around Caesarea Phillippi. Jesus asked them ' who do you say i am?'

They replied 'John The Baptist, Elijah and one of the Prophets.

He Then asked Peter ' wgar about you? Who do you think i am?

Peter replied ' You are Christ'

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then said that the son of man was going to suffer and be rejected by most people. Peter then took him aside and started to rebuke him.

Jesus then told Peter ' Get behind me Satan! You do not have in mind the thinkgs of God, but the things of men.

Symbolism

• The story records the first recognition of Jesus.
• Peter announces that Jesus is the Messiah but told to keep his identify a secret
• Jesus does not want the deciples to misunderstand what type of Messiahhe is to be, he is not a political Messiah rather he is a suffering Messiah.
• Peter does not understand and Jesus describes him as Satan. Peter was not allowed to tempt into becoming a political Messiah.
• The Son Of Man (SOM) was destined to suffer & Die.

The Transfiguration

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain were they were left alone. Jesus was transfigured before them all and his clothes turned Dazzling white. Whiter than anyone had ever saw. Then appeared Elijah and Moses. A Cloud then appeared and said 'This is my son whom i love. Listen to him.' Suddenly Peter, James and John turned around and Elijah and Moses and The Cloud was gone.

Symbolism

• Son Of God
• Jesus dazzling white clothes reveal he is part of God.
• God announces that he is Son of God.
• Moses And Elijah
• Both Old Testament (OT) Figures.
• The shelters
• Symbols of Respect
•  A place of prayer.

The Shelters

The shelters suggested by Peter may have been his way of warning to show respect.

Peter may have wanted to prolong his expiernce.

For Jesus

The transfirguration must have shown he was on the right path and that he had God's approval.

Event's That Led To The Start Of Jesus' Ministry.

Mark records two events that affected his teaching (1) the discussion about his identify at Caesarea Phillippi and (2) The Transfiguration.

From Caesarea Phillippi the mood of the Gospel changes and it focuses on (1) Jesus' Suffering (2) The demands of decipleship. The last week of Jesus' life and the empty tomb take up more than one quater of the Gospel.