Notice how at the beginning of Mark (1:1-13) John prophesies that Jesus will baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Isn’t it interesting that immediately Jesus’ own baptism follows and he sees the very same Holy Spirit descending upon him. The voice rings out “This is my beloved Son, with him I am well pleased”.
Could it be that this statement is prophetic for the effect of the indwelling of the Spirit in every believer?
I’m going to venture that it is a foretaste of the achievements of Christ. I wonder if the explanation of the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism is that Jesus’ results in the ability to ‘please’ God… as sons (and daughters)? It kind of fits with the Christian doctrine of adoption, as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
It also works on to highlight a couple of contrasts at the narrative level:
- the dismay of the crowds over their inability to stand before God because of their sins is contrasted with the pleasure of God in his Son.
- Water baptism, which has no saving effect but only a public personal resolve to please God, is contrasted with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who personally inspires and activates God-pleasing deeds.
