How Mark draws us closer to Jesus through Jesus' triumph over Satan - Mark 1:12-13

Mark 1:12-13 "Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13 And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him."

Introduction:

In the last week or so we have taken the time to walk our way through the opening verses of Mark's Gospel. We have aimed to approach Mark in such a way as to meet Jesus for the first time. The suddenness with which Mark thrusts the reader into the adult life and public ministry of Jesus gives the sense of giving us a first encounter with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

We began by first of all getting to know Jesus by way of the titles listed in Mark 1:1. As His primary name "Jesus" suggests, Jesus came as a true human being to save His people from their sins. However, it does not take long in the course of Mark's Gospel to see that this Jesus, though being truly man, was more than just a mere human being. The second title in Mark 1:1 - "Christ", heightens the identity of Jesus by asserting Him as the "chosen, anointed One" of Old Testament prophetic anticipation. Having multiple layers of meaning, Jesus as the Messiah is the Spirit anointed man, King, Priest and decisive revelation of God in human flesh. The third title "Son of God" certifies that our initial understanding of the other two titles is accurate. This particular title is also said of Jesus at His crucifixion by the Roman Centurion in Mark 15:39. Hence we met Jesus by way of His titles.

We then saw secondly the various testimonies of this Jesus. Mark quotes passages from Isaiah (and possibly Malachi) in Mark 1:2-3 to give us the prophetic testimony of Jesus. These quotations serve to demonstrate Jesus' continuity in both the life and prophetic identity of God with His people. Then we see the Personal testimony of John the Baptist in Mark 1:4-9 and 1:10-11. Then as we saw yesterday, the Divine testimony of Jesus in Mark 1:10-11 certifies that this Jesus is both commended for being truly Divine in his true humanity while being accepted as man who is also God at the same time.

Today's post aims to get us even closer to Jesus by pointing out His major triumph over Satan.

Jesus' temptation and triumph in the wilderness by Satan, and what it means to you

Mark's record of Jesus' temptation is startlingly brief. Mark 1:12-13 records these words - "Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13 And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him." The verses begin with the term "immediately", a word that one finds in almost 40 places in Mark's Gospel. What is surprising is the fact that the Holy Spirit Who came to anoint and empower Jesus at the baptism is the same Holy Spirit Who, in Mark's words, "impells" or "drives" Jesus in to the wilderness. This tells us that before Jesus could even begin to address the needs of fallen man, he first of all had to defeat the one who had led man astray in the first place - Satan. 

Now Mark and Luke's Gospel record this scene in more detail. Matthew's account has Satan tempting Jesus with regards to the lust of the flesh (Matthew 4:1-4); pride of life (Matthew 4:5-7) and lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:8-11). The Devil's inability to overcome Jesus results in him leaving Jesus until "an opportune time" (Matthew 4:11). Luke's version has Satan tempting Jesus with the same three types of temptation, with the distinction from Matthew being that the lust of the eyes or showing Jesus all the kingdoms of the world consistutes the second temptation in Luke 4:5-8 (third temptation in Matthew 4:8-11) and the pride of life being the third temptation in Luke 4:9-12 (the second temptation in Matthew 4:5-7). Both these differences can be easily explained as understanding that Satan was contastantly barraging Jesus throughout the 40 day period of time. It is certain Satan changed up the ordering of the temptations to attack Jesus' in his humanity at different spots. Luke's version then closes out with angels ministering to Jesus.

So with Mark's version being rather short, it seems that since he was recording Peter's preaching about Jesus (according to reliable reports from ancient church history), Peter's usage of a then early copy of Matthew and newly penned Gospel of Luke coupled with is own recollections of Jesus resulted in a simple summary of this temptation account. 

Why would Mark include this record of Jesus' life? In light of Matthew and Luke's Gospels, it is clear that Jesus came to not only provide salvation from sin, but also destroy the works of the Devil (see Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8). As we meet Jesus for the first time, we are finding out how powerful He truly is. No man who had ever face Satan toe-to-toe ever triumphed. Adam failed. David gave into temptation. Without God's grace, Job would had totally caved into the deepest despair. Yet in Mark's account we get the sense that as Jesus was being tempted, He was walking in victory and not succuming to the Devil's schemes. He had angelic assistance for sure - however, those angels came to minister after the fact (compare Luke). Jesus achieved a work never before accomplished - defeating the Devil in the worst of circumstances. 

Now why is this triumph so important to you and me as Christians? Whatever Jesus experienced and achieved in His humanity meant that as redeemed human beings, we too could overcome the lust of the eyes, the flesh and pride of life (see this three-fold listing in 1 John 2:15-17). In-as-much as we are saved by Jesus' death - we are also saved by His life. Jesus saves believers from their sins because of His substitutionary death and saves them to live a possible life of victory over their sins due to His perfect life in them. This doesn't mean that as Christians we will end up achieving sinless perfection in this life (see Paul's statements in Romans 7). But what it does mean is that despite our occassional failures to trust God and choose sin, Jesus' credited righteousness covers the believer and empowers the believer by the Spirit to say "no" rather than "yes" the next time they are tempted. 

I'm convinced Satan's temptation of Jesus was continual, non-stop in not only those 40 days of wilderness experience, but also throughout the confrontations Jesus had with Satan's demonic emmisaries. Clearly Satan appealed through Peter for Jesus to skip the cross in Matthew 16 and used Judas to betray Jesus on the eve of His crucifixion. Yet, the New Testament is replete with the truth of Jesus' triumph over Satan being the foundation for all we need by the Holy Spirit to live empowered Christian lives in this dark world. 

May we aim to truly get to know Jesus as if it were our first time meeting Him. Mark's Gospel is exciting and I hope you dear reader have been blessed these last several days as we have aimed to get to know Jesus better. 

The significance of the Divine testimony of Jesus in His baptism in Mark 1:10-11

Mark 1:10-11 "Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Introduction

In yesterday's post we considered some testimonies about the life, Person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark begins his Gospel with this statement: "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." We've noted in prior posts that Mark's introduction has us meeting Jesus as-it-were for the first time. Each of the titles ("Jesus", "Christ" and "Son of God") tell us something about the humanity, mission and majesty of Jesus. In yesterday's post we saw testimonies from prophecy and the personal testimony of John the Baptist. Today we continue on with another testimony - a testimony which is the most important one - namely the Divine testimony about Jesus in Mark 1:10-11. Below is an attempt to capture what all is entailed in Mark 1:10-11, and why this Divine testimony is vital in our first contact with Jesus in Mark's Gospel.

How God in all His fulness is captured in just two verses

Mark 1:10-11 is a rare jewel in the whole of scripture - being that within two verses we discover the fulness of God. To quickly summarize the Bible's teaching on God, the reader needs to consider three foundational doctrines: 

a). The oneness of God or monotheism

b). The Deity of Jesus Christ, the Son

c). The Personality of the Holy Spirit

The Oneness of God, monotheism

First, God in both Old Testament and New Testament is consistently revealed as One God - or what theologians call "mono-theism" (see Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 43:10-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; James 2:19). Biblical monotheism is rich in that although God is unquestionably One in His being or essence, yet there is something plural about His identity. That is to say, God is "One" in one sense and "plural" in another sense. The Old Testament early on hints at this notion as early as Genesis 1:26, wherein we see God (singular) reasoning within Himself to create man "in our image and in our likeness". 

So in what way is this One God plural? The answer is found in the context of how God relates within Himself - i.e God is plural in His identity. God begins to reveal Himself further on into the Old Testament in the language of relationship. Deuteronomy 1:21 states - "and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place." As God (also know as Yahweh or Jehovah in His covenant dealings with His people) repeats the nature of His relatrionship with His people in terms of "Fatherhood" (Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 63:16, we discover that this is also how Yahweh identifies something true about Himself apart from His people (see Proverbs 30:4). 

This One God reveals Himself as "The Father" or simply as "Father" nearly ten times in the Old Testament. Again, hints appear here and there in the Old Testament that God, being one in being, is also somehow plural in identity. Psalm 2:7 has David recording the following conversation that Yahweh has with Himself, presumably the Father speaking to a second Personage called "the Son" - “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." We already mentioned Proverbs 30:4, and now notice what the verse says concerning God the Father and this second mysterious personage "The Son" - "Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name or His son’s name?
Surely you know!" 

How Biblical monotheism also affirms the deity of the Son, Jesus Christ

So "who" or "what" is the writer in Proverbs referring to? The Old Testament develops the concept of "One God with possible plural identity", with stress on God's monotheistic existence. It is when we come to the New Testament that we find the answer to the question posed in Proverbs 30:4. The "Son" in question turns out to be a second Person from within the Trinity, with the Father not being just another name for Yahweh, but actually the first Personality being revealed! 

Now to underscore the continuity of the Bible's revelation of God being "one" in His being, the New Testament stresses such truth in passage we already referenced (1 Corinthians 8:6; James 2:19). The challenge facing the early Christians, who had been converted from Judaism, was in how they could consistently confess both the deity of Jesus as God in human flesh (John 1:14), whilst also asserting the Biblical monotheism of the Old Testament. It is at this point where the New Testament writings and the early church begin to focus in on the fact that Jesus Christ - the embodied revelation of God in the Person of the Son, co-shares the One, monotheistic nature with the Personage known as "The Father". So many scriptures could be cited at this point, however one will suffice in showing how the New Testament progressively handled this truth. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:6 - "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we existthrough Him."

Thus we see then the complete picture emerging in the New Testament regarding the following three concepts: a). God is still "One God"

b). The Father is understood to be the first Person that makes Himself known to His people as the fulness of God is progressively revealed from Old to New Testament

c). The Son is progressively revealed to be the second Person within this One God who shares in the fulness of the being of God along with the Father.  

The Personality of the Holy Spirit

So then, with the monotheistic nature of God revealed as the Person of the Father, sharing such nature with the second Person - the Son, is there any further revelation about God to be known? As Jesus ministered for three and a half years on this earth, His identity as Messiah has been predicted and witnessed as being empowered by the Holy Spirit (see for instance Isaiah 61:1-2 & Luke 4:18). The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was primarily conceived as the Shekinah presence of God revealed in the temple, speaking through the prophets or guding God's people (1 Samuel 15:29; 2 Peter 1:10-11). 

As Jesus nears the cross, He delivers a final sermon to His disciples on the night of His institution of the Lord's supper. In that final message (called the 'upper-room discourse'), Jesus reveals that He will be leaving them - however, One of like-nature will come in His place to minister to, through and in them. In John 14:16-17 we read -  "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." This third Personage is of like-substance and nature to the Divine Son and the Father.

Bringing together what has been said thus far...

Now mind you, all that has been said thus far is but a sketch of the Biblical material. In short, the Bible presents God as "One" God, not three gods. Second, we find Jesus of Nazareth to be the decisive revelation of God in the Person of the Son in true humanity (i.e the incarnation of God). Thirdly, as both the Father and Son share in One divided nature, they do so with a third Person - the Holy Spirit. All three-persons comprise what the scripture and Bible teachers call "The God-head" (see Romans 1:18-20; Colossians 2:9).

Now it is hoped the reader has hung in there, because everything just mentioned above is jammed packed into Mark 1:10-11. The "voice from heaven" is none other than the Person of the Father, testifying about Jesus - the Son. Two observations are in order at this point. 

First, the Father's testimony reveals that the man Jesus of Nazareth still was and ever remained truly God - otherwise the Father would never had proclaimed what He did. 

Then secondly, in-as-much as the Son was still truly God, the Father was equally affirming and expressing approval of the Son's decisive revelation of the fulness of deity in his humanity. In other words, Jesus never lost His co-equality with the Father nor did the Father view the Son's assumption of a human nature as denegrating. 

The significance of the Divine testimony of Jesus in His baptism in Mark 1:10-11

The descent of the Holy Spirit (in the likeness of a dove) upon Jesus signals His Messianic empowerment and official beginning of His public ministry. Both the heavenly testimony of the Father and the earthly manifestation of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus communicates all at once the inseparable union shared between all three Persons of the God-head. Truly Mark's introduction of Jesus is powerful and profound. Would it be that we would endeavor to know this Jesus!

The Gospel of Mark's testimonies of Jesus Christ, the Son of God - Mark 1:2-9

Mark 1:2-8 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Introduction:
Happy New Year to all readers of today's post! There is no better way to start off the New Year than by getting to know Jesus Christ. We spent the last several days getting to know Jesus in Mark's Gospel by way of the titles we find in Mark 1:1. As we begin this New Year, I thought we would continue on in Mark's Gospel by aiming to know Jesus by way of the testimonies given about Him. A testimony can be sometimes more powerful than a bare logical argument - since the person giving the testimony has lived out the reality of the truth in question. Mark presents a string of testimonies that combine to introduce us to the most amazing Person - Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Today's post will consider the testimonies of prophecy and John the Baptist.

Prophecy testifies concerning Jesus Christ
Though Mark portrays Jesus as seemingly splashing upon the canvas of history, His coming and arrival had been predicted centuries prior. Mark 1:2-3 records Isaiah's words from Isaiah 40:3 "A voice is calling,“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God." The way in which this quote is done echoes another prophet, Malachi, in Malachi 3:1. With the entire history of prophecy represented, Mark shows his readers that Jesus came to fulfill Old Testament expectation. Jesus Himself would later testify in Luke 24:44 that the Law, Prophets and Psalms testified concerning Him. So we see then a prophetic testimony concerning this Jesus. But now notice a second, personal testimony from John the Baptist. 

Personal testimony of John the Baptist concerning Jesus Christ
Mark 1:4-8 spends some time focusing on the mission and personal features of John the Baptist to show the reader that this eye-witness of Jesus was no figment of his imagination. We then find John's testimony-proper of Jesus in Mark 1:9-11  "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” John's Gospel also records in similar words John the Baptist's testimony in John 1:15-17 “John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” ¹⁶ For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

Why is John the Baptist's testimony so valuable at this point in Mark's Gospel. In surveying the other three Gospels, we discover John the Baptist had occasion to baptize Jesus and witness the Spirit’s descent upon Him in the form of a dove (Matthew 3:13; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). Moreover, John the Baptist was related to Jesus in His humanity by virtue of the fact that both their mothers were related (Luke 1:36). His eyewitness stature makes his testimony ironclad in demonstrating the reality asserted in Mark 1:1, namely the good news of Jesus Christ being the Son of God.

What this means to you
As we close out today's post, I ask you: do you have a testimony of personally knowing Jesus Christ - the Son of God? That is - have you by grace through faith trusted in Him. This is what Mark's Gospel aims to convince us of - namely the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus came to give His life a ransom for many, which includes you (see Mark 10:45). Jesus lived (Mark 1-10); died (Mark 12-15) and raised from the dead (Mark 16:1-20). Would it be that we would heed the message of Mark's Gospel and follow this Jesus.

P2 Meeting Jesus for the first time in Mark - "The Son of God" - Mark 1:1

Mark 1:1  "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

Introduction:

Yesterday we zeroed in on two of the three titles found in Mark 1:1: "Jesus" and "Christ". We did this for the purpose of meeting Jesus for the first time in Mark's Gospel. The title "Jesus" refers to the name of the Son relative to His true humanity. We discovered that though His name "Jesus" refers to His true humanity - there is more than meets the eye. The second title "Christ" speaks to us about His mission. We expounded at length the multiple layers of Jesus' Messiah-ship. In all reality we only scratched the surface - however, it is hope that the reader has become more acquainted with the richness of Jesus Christ. This leads us to the third title in Mark 1:1 - namely, "The Son of God". 

The title "Son of God" refers to the majesty of Jesus Christ

One of the observations noted in yesterday's post is the fact that many of the titles and names of Jesus may emphasize His humanity or deity, but neither one is ever totally excluded at the expense of the other. The title "Jesus" for example does pinpoint the historical figure "Jesus of Nazareth" as a Jewish man and miracle worker who died and raised from the dead in the first century. However, this name also points to the truth that He was not just a man, but more than such. The title "Christ" also functioned in much the same manner. 

When we consider this third title "Son of God", on first glance it appears Mark is emphasizing the Divinity of Christ. Bible scholar Wayne Grudem notes: There are nevertheless instances in which the phrase "Son of God" refers to Jesus as the Heavenly, eternal Son who is equal to God Himself (see matt 11:25-30; 17:5; 1 Cor 15:28; Heb 1:1-3,5,8). This is especially true in John's Gospel where Jesus is seen as a unique Son from the Father (John 1:14,18,34,39) who fully reveals the Father (John 8:19; 14:9). As Son he is so great that we can trust in Him for eternal life (something that could be said of no created being: John 3:16, 36; 20:31). 

With regards to the conclusions we can draw from Mark's Gospel alone on this title, episodes of Jesus' teachings and actions help us fill in the details about this title. Mark 3:11 has demonic beings of which Jesus exorcised saying: "Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” In Mark 12:6 we see the parable of the son and the tenants depicting the unique place the Son would have in the history of God's dealings with His people. In commenting on Mark 12:1-9, scholar William Lane Craig notes in his book "Reasonable Faith", page 311: "What then does this parable tell us about Jesus' self-understanding? It tells us that He thought of Himself as God's only Son from all the prophets, God's final messenger, and even the heir of Israel itself". This is idea of the Son of God being "unique" is stressed in Mark 13:32, which places the Father and Son in a category above angels and men. 

We then arrive at the final place in Mark where this title appears, the Roman Centurion's confession of Jesus at the crucifixion in Mark 15:39 "When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” This confession is striking, since in Graeco/Roman culture, the title "son of god" or "son of the divine" (divi filius) was used exclusively with reference to the Roman Emperor. Hence, the centurion was swearing His allegiance to a New Emperor, so-to-speak!

In brief, the rest of the New Testament brings out clearly the true meaning of this title that begins to unfold in Mark. Hebrews 1:1-4 reveals that the Son is nothing less than God Himself. He is exalted above the angels (Hebrews 1:5-11) and is God forever praised (Romans 9:5). Another common title used by Mark and other Gospel writers is Jesus' own favorite designation - "Son of Man". We won't go into detail about this particular title - only to note that its Divine/human dual function draws from Old Testament passages such as Daniel 7:12-14 and is found in the same setting where we find the title "Son of God", indicating their overlap in meaning and purpose (compare for instance Mark 10:33; 14:41; 14:62; 15:39). 

Concluding thoughts on Jesus' Majesty as "Son of God"

So in light of the above observations, we return once more to Mark's opening in Mark 1:1. We have aimed these last two days to meet Jesus for the first time. We saw His humanity in His name "Jesus", noting that He is truly human - but more than just a man. The second title "Christ" suggests to us His mission as the Divine/human Savior who came to redeem His people and reveal Himself as the anointed Priest and King. Then as "Son of God", Jesus Christ reveals His majesty. It seems these three titles combine to present a complete picture of Christ's majesty. As the "Son of God" He is exalted Messiah. By way of His actions we see further evidence that He is this majestic One. Certainly Jesus' own self-identification as the Son of God (Mark 10:45; 12:1-9) as well as the testimony of the soldiers at His crucifixion (Mark 15:39) all combine together to demonstrate His majesty - and this before His resurrection! We saw finally that all of the material in the epistles that assert Jesus Christ as the Son of God do so from the stand-point of His triumphal resurrection. All that Jesus claimed to be before His cross was demonstrated and confirmed in His resurrection. Jesus Christ is the majestic God/man - the Son of God. May we be in awe of meeting Him for the first time in Mark 1:1. 

P1 Meeting Jesus for the first time in Mark - Understanding the titles "Jesus" and "Christ" - Mark 1:1

Mark 1:1 "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

Introduction:

As we have so far explored the message of Mark's Gospel and how he develops his understanding of what it means to follow Jesus - we now turn to the titles of Jesus. Mark has the reader meeting Jesus for the first time. Mark 1:1 functions as a title and as a main heading for describing one of the main points of Mark's Gospel - namely in introducing us to Jesus, His Mission and His majesty. One of the chief ways Mark does this is through the titles and names of Jesus. 

There is so much wrapped up in each of the titles of Jesus that no amount of space would be sufficient to deal with all of them in one post (when you consider there are some 200 such titles in God's Word!). Mark's Gospel uses an economy of words to zero in on three of those titles: "Jesus", "Christ" & "The Son of God". In today's post we will consider the first two of those titles in our effort to meet Jesus for the first time in Mark.

The name "Jesus" refers to His humanity (and more)

Out of all the names and titles of Jesus - none are more approachable and tangible than the very name "Jesus". This name comes from a Hebrew name ("Joshua" or "Jeshua") meaning - "The Lord Saves". In Matthew 1:21 we read: "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” This first title puts us into direct connection with the man "Jesus". We know Jesus was real and indeed a true man. 

However, even in the emphasis of His historical identity as "Jesus of Nazereth" (Matthew 26:71; John 1:45; Acts 10:38), there was a hint that Jesus was not just a man. Even at the announcement of His name to Mary and Joseph by the Angel we read in Matthew 1:22-23 "Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” The great theologian B.B Warfield notes about the character of Jesus as presented in Mark's Gospel: "That of Mark, who was also a companion of Paul, as also of Peter, is, as truly as the Gospel of John itself, a presentation of facts in the life of Jesus. (That is to say), with a view to making it plain that this was the life of no mere man, human as it was, but of the Son of God Himself." 

As we noted already, even the very meaning of the name "Jesus" (The LORD saves or "Yahweh saves") tells us that this Person of Jesus was God decisively acting in and through and as Jesus of Nazareth. However, Mark hitches another title to the name "Jesus" to add to his profile.

The title "Christ" refers to His mission

The title "Christ" is a Greek carryover of the Hebrew "Meshach" - meaning "anointed one" or "chosen one".  The Holman Christian Standard Bible has rightly chosen to translate "Christ" as "Messiah" - since in its purest sense - Christ simply refers to "Messiah". This title carries with it multiple layers deriving from the Old Testament. These layers of meaning carry the reader from initially considering a special human royal descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:13-16; Psalm 89) to an exalted figure that mediates between the God of Israel and the nation of Israel (Isaiah 49; 61) to a figure that is nothing short of being Divine and human (Zechariah 14:1-9). Scholar William Lane Craig writes in his book "Reasonable Faith" concerning this title "Messiah": "Jesus is deliberately and provocatively claiming to be a promised king of Israel who will inaugurate his reign of peace. His action is like a living parable, acted out to disclose His true identity".

Mark's Gospel aims to unfold the Messianic identity of Jesus - much like Matthew. Matthew chooses to do this by starting with the human lineage of Jesus  - taking the reader back through David and Abraham's bloodline (see Matthew 1:1-17). Mark's approach is clearly different - being that his audience was primarily Roman and practically-minded-just-the-facts type of folks. Hence, Mark will use more of Jesus' own actions in demonstrating His Messianic claims. 

As one reads the Old Testament prophecies about Messiah - there emerges the following connection: the Messiah-the throne of Israel-temple. Mark's Gospel weaves together these threads in portraying the identity of Jesus as "the Christ". As the perfect sacrifice who would ransom His people (Mark 10:45) and at the same time the King who offered Himself to the people - Jesus brings together these twin themes in His Messianic activity. Again William Lane Craig observes: "The clearest indication of Jesus' Messianic self-consciousness emerges by reflecting on His execution. The plaque nailed to his cross recording the charge for which Jesus was curcified is multiply attested as stating that Jesus was executed as "the King of the Jews" (Mark 15:26; John 19:19). 

Closing thoughts for today

Therefore as we meet Jesus for the first time, we find His mission as Messiah was to be the true saving King who would sacrifice Himself on behalf of the people. Mark 10:45 - the key verse to Mark's Gospel - states: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” This is the main reason why we are identifying the theme of Mark as being: Jesus the Divine Son of God came to serve and give His life a ransom for many. Consider how awesome it is to realize that this Jesus is truly the Messiah - the chosen One, came to give His life for you and me. Mark's opening states this is "Gospel" or "good news". Tomorrow we will continue meeting Jesus for the first time by considering that third title in Mark 1:1 - "The Son of God".

How Mark's Gospel Uniquely Defines What It Means To Follow Jesus

Mark 1:1-3 "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight.’”
Introduction:
Yesterday's post featured an overview of the significance and major features of Mark's Gospel. Today we want to look a little further into Mark's Gospel to define what it means to follow Jesus.

A curious feature of Mark that may clue us in on a two-fold truth on what it means to follow Jesus - Activity and Abiding
As you study Mark's Gospel, the one word that is repeated on roughly 40 occasions is the term "immediately".  In every chapter except chapters 12, 13 and the first half of chapter 14, you will find this word.  The word "immediately" was inserted to keep the reader's attention and to move the account of Jesus' life at a fast and rapid pace.  Yet when we come to those particular sections that deal with Jesus' last sermon and His preparations for His death and Gethsemane, the word "immediately" is absent.  Why? I want to suggest that in the midst of all the activity of Jesus' mission, there needed to be an opportunity to also "slow down", "take a breather" and "abide".  

Fleshing out some thoughts on "acting" and "abiding" in Jesus as depicted in Mark's Gospel
In our 21st century life, we all know what it means to be active.  In fact, activity is a vital part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  In those sections of Mark's Gospel where we see the word "immediately", the activities being encouraged include:

1. Immediate Obedience to Jesus.  Mark 1:3, 10,12,18,20, 21; 2:12

2. Urgency to fulfill the mission of salvation.  
Mark 4:5,15,16,17,29 and 14:72.

In many ways, urgency and activity should mark our Christianity.  However what I find to be less obvious are the periods of rest and reflection that are needed in our Christian walk.  As I read and study Mark's fast-pace Gospel, I find his lack of the word "immediately" to be intentional.  The last thing we want to do is to rush through the heart and purpose for why Jesus came.  Let the reader note: where we find no mention of the word "immediate" in Mark's Gospel is a clue to our need to "abide":

1. Abide in the truth of Christ's second coming.  Mark 13:1-37

2. Abide in developing a deeper love for Jesus. Mark 14:1-11

3. Abide in the significance of Jesus' once for all sacrifice. Mark 14:12-31

4. Abide in cultivating a willingness to do the Father's will, like Jesus did.  Mark 14:32-42

It is in these particular passages of Mark that we do not find the word "immediately" - and rightly so, since without those times of abiding, we can miss out on what the Lord is communicating to us through His word.

A basic overview of the contents and significance of Mark's Gospel

Mark 1:1-3 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

Introduction: 
Today's post aims to offer a brief introduction to the Gospel of Mark. The value of reading and studying the four Gospels is in meeting Jesus Christ. Mark's Jesus is introduced at the beginning of His public life and ministry. Below are some further details that will aid readers and perhaps Bible teachers in gaining an introductory understanding and outline of this wonderful Gospel.

Quick notes on Mark's Gospel
So what distinguishes Mark's Gospel from Matthew, Luke and John? Since Mark's audience was composed of practically minded Roman people, not much time is spent in details surrounding Jewish life and history like Matthew and Luke. Furthermore, since the Roman mind was more prone to short, sweet and to the point types of thinking, Mark's Gospel is the shortest and most quickly moving of the four Gospels. Then finally, early church history tells us that Mark recorded by Divine inspiration the Apostle Peter's preaching about Jesus, resulting in the Gospel of Mark.

The message and outline of Mark's Gospel
The key verse to Mark's Gospel is found in Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark purposefully relied upon Isaiah's prophecies in his overall portrayal of Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection.  In the opening of his Gospel, Mark attributes John the Baptist's ministry to predictions made by Isaiah - thus further demonstrating how much Mark saw the person of Jesus Christ as being the very fulfillment Old Testament expectation.  Below is a brief outline of the book:

           Mark's Gospel: Jesus the Divine Son of God came to 

                   serve and give His life a ransom for many

Preparation for Jesus' public ministry.  Mark 1:1-13
           John the Baptist's preaching about Jesus.  Mark 1:1-8
           Jesus Baptism and temptation.                   Mark 1:9-13

Public Ministry of Jesus.                       Mark 1:14-10:52
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle # 1 Mark 1:14-3:12
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #2  Mark 3:13-4:41
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #3  Mark 5:1-43
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #4   Mark 6:1-56
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #5  Mark 7:1-8:26
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #6  Mark 8:27-9:13
           Jesus' preaching and miracles - Cycle #7  Mark 9:14-10:52

Preparation for Jesus' presentation as King.         Mark 11:1-10
Presentation and Rejection of Jesus as King.       Mark 11:11-13:37

Preparation for Jesus' crucifixion and death.         Mark 14:1-42
          Anointing of Jesus for burial                        Mark 14:1-11
          Jesus final meal with the disciples.              Mark 14:12-42
Jesus' crucifixion, death and burial.                   Mark 14:43-15:47       

Preparation by women to travel to Jesus' tomb   Mark 16:1-3
Women find empty tomb, Jesus is alive!             Mark 16:4-20

Closing thoughts:
So why should you and I become more acquainted with Mark's Gospel? Let me offer four reasons as we close out today's post:

1. First, Mark's Gospel is specifically focused on the public ministry and mission of Jesus. Though much the same could be said of the other three Gospels, Mark's brevity and intentional focus upon how Jesus, the Divine Son, came as the Suffering Servant gives us the specific point of Jesus' mission. 

2. Secondly, Mark's Gospel provides the most basic outline of Jesus' public life and ministry recorded in Matthew and Luke. Much has been written on the literary relatonship between the first three Gospels. This author takes Matthew to be the first of the three, with Mark depending upon Matthew and bringing in Luke's Gospel as a supplement. If we can get into our minds and hearts Mark's overall presentation of Jesus, we will find ourselves more able to navigate the bigger Gospels of Matthew and Luke. These three Gospels together are oftentimes referred to as the "Synoptic Gospels", with the word "synoptic" referring to how all three "see-together" a complementary vision of Jesus Christ's Deity expressed in perfect humanity. 

3. In addition to helping us better appreciate Jesus' mission, as well as the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mark's Gospel provides excellent insights when read in concert with John's Gospel. Dr. David Alan Black of Southeastern Theological Seminary notes concerning this point: "In a far higher degree than in the Synoptics (remember, the Synoptics refer to Matthew, Mark and Luke), the whole narrative of the Fourth Gospel centers around the Person of Christ." When I want to look at Jesus, I think of Mark and John as a pair of binoculars. Mark's Gospel proceeds at a rapid rate over the life and works of Jesus in comparison to the more meditative longing gaze at the glory of Christ's person in John. Both together bring into focus the missions and majesty of Jesus. Since John's Gospel has been historically understood as a supplement to the other three Gospels, we can then include the details of Matthew and Luke to fill out the complete picture of Jesus Christ that we gain from a combined reading of Mark and John. 

4. The final reason for taking a closer look at Mark is because we meet the Master. Undoubtedly the same can be said of the other three Gospels. However, Mark's Gospel is often-times overlooked due to it's brevity. The Gospel of Mark contains some details of Jesus' life you wouldn't find in Matthew, Luke or John. To know Jesus better, one needs to include Mark in their overall regiment of Bible study. 



 

The centrality of the glory of Jesus in Christian living

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Introduction
Biblical Christianity rests upon three legs: the practical, the doctrinal and the supernatural.  When we say: "Practical Christianity" or "Biblical Christianity" or "Supernatural Christianity", we're not speaking of three different types of Christianity, but rather ways in which we understand and live out it's truths. That is to say, Christianity is as much practical as it is doctrinal and supernatural. 

How our worship expresses the supernatural character of Biblical Christianity
1 Timothy 3:16 is an ancient Christian Hymn. The words demonstrate that all of the supernatural, practical and doctrinal aspects of the Christian faith flow from Jesus Christ.  Worship is how we best see the supernatural essence of our Christian faith.  Ephesians 2:18 clarifies this point:  "for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father."  Jesus Christ's incarnation and virgin birth stand as landmark supernatural events that shape the very essence of the Christian faith.  To focus on the Christmas Truth of Jesus Christ in His first coming reinforces us to be a people who worship and love the Lord. 

The Glory of Jesus Christ and supernatural Christian worship
If you notice the first and last lines of this passage, they both deal with the glory of Jesus Christ.  Quite literally we are enjoying Christ from glory to glory in this passage.  The glory of His incarnation and the glory of His ascension.  We look forward to the day when He returns in the glory of His Father.  God's glory in Jesus Christ is the beginning, middle and end of Christian worship.  Some passages below will serve to reinforce the priority of Christ's glory in supernatural Christianity:

1. The Glory of God the Son was sung about at His birth. 
Luke 2:14 states:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

2. The Glory of God the Son was stated at the beginning of His public Ministry
Matthew 3:17 "and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

3. The Glory of God the Son was stated when He was on the Mount of Transfiguration mid-way through His public ministry
Matthew 17:5 "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

4. The Glory of God the Son is prayed for by Him in His Upper Room Prayer
John 17:5 “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

5. His glory demonstrated in His resurrection is the basis for the Christian's New Birth and faith-walk with the Lord
1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"

It was this glory of Jesus Christ that was spoken of at the beginning of His birth. This same glory would culminate in His resurrection and Ascension. Such glory will reach its crescendo at His second coming.  When you see 1 Timothy 3:16, it begins and ends with His glory.  Worship as the chief expression of the supernatural nature of Christianity must begin and end with the glory of Jesus Christ.  He being God in human flesh never ceased being glorious. 

This hopefully has captured for the reader the centrality of the glory of the Son in our practical, doctrinal and supernatural aspects of Christian living. 

Successful God-centered planning for the upcoming New Year - James 4:1-17

James 4:13-16 "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil."

Introduction:
As our attention turns to the upcoming New Year, the subject of planning takes center stage. Many people will be acquiring New Calendars or making plans as to what goals they want to achieve. Oftentimes discussions of such activities will include the vowing of New Years' resolutions. It is important to understand what is entailed in good planning - and more specifically - God-centered planning. 

There are obviously details and choices that must be done and certain principles that must be avoided when it comes to how we relate to the future. James and the rest of scripture gives not merely good advice for effective God-centered planning, but also the power for the carrying forth of such an effort. Today's post is all about considering what God-centered planning requires, why we fail, and how we can avoid such failure.

1. What God-centered planning requires (and why we fail) 4:1-5
The Bible testifies that there are at least three elements in godly planning. First, prioritization. Matthew 6:33 notes - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." The second element in godly planning entails prayer as seen in Philippians 4:6-7  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." So, in addition to prioritization and prayer, we find a third element for making godly plans, namely passion, as seen in Proverbs 16:3,7 - 3. "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established" ; 7. "When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

So then we have three clear components to solid, godly planning: prioritization, prayer and passion. The three elements are traits we know we ought to have and need to have if our planning is going to be God centered. However, knowing what we ought to do and observing what is typically done by Christians entails two different things.

In short - when I look at how I make plans, I find inconsistency and failure to prioritize correctly. Other times, I may forget to pray or not have passion. James 4:1-5 explains why we fail in what we know we ought to do: our selfish ambition and love of the world more than God can skew how we prioritize (compare James 4:1-2a). Second, in knowing that we ought to pray, we either pray with the wrong motives or fail to pray all-together. Either appproach to prayer will yield no results (compare James 4:2b-3). Then of course, all of the best-laid planning in the world will fall short if there is no passion for God (compare James 4:4-5). Distraction. Worry. Anxiousness. The opinions of others. Distorted self-perceptions. The spiritual warfare of the enemy. Whatever else we can typically name in explaining why we fail oftentimes in trying to orientate ourselves and planning around God is described in James 4:1-5. James 4:17 defines this failure most accurately - "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

So God-centered planning requires prioritization, prayer and passion. However, how can you and I avoid the failure that often accompanies such efforts? 

2. Who planning requires (and how you can succeed)
All efforts of planning aim at success. However, when it comes to a Biblically defined sucess, by what do we mean? Success is more so focused on Jesus and faithfulness to His word than pleasing people and controlling outcomes (compare Joshua 1:8; Psalm 118:8; Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 4:1-6). In worldly conceptions of success, the first two parts of this definition are absent - with success only concerned with pleasing people or trying to control outcomes. Certainly if our planning can include making people happy or producing given results - all the merrier. However, such aims are not the main definition of success in scriptural terms. There will be those times when we find that unpredicable variables enter into our lives for which we had no control. Furthermore, there may be those times when we attempt to center our plans on God, either someone will be displeased or we ourselves may find it difficult to remain happy! Apart from Jesus Christ, it is impossible to make God-centered plans in the manner we are talking about.

Consider James 4:6-10. James 4:6 clues us in on the fact that there is a way in which to experience and move in what is called "greater grace". James 4:6 states - "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humility. But not just any sort of humility. If for a moment we conceive of the humility spoken of here as a grit-your-teeth-and-try-harder moralism, we miss James' point. 

James' layout of the humility described in James 4:7-10 lines up remarkably with what Paul would later write in Philippians 2:1-11 concerning Christ-like humility. We won't take the time to expound on the scriptures associated with this point - but rather list them in summary and comparison to the highpoints of Jesus' own life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension:

a. Jesus' incarnation, virgin birth, early childhood (James 4:6-7; Phil 2:5-11)

b. Jesus resisted devil at beginning of public ministry (James 4:8a; Matthew 4)

c. Jesus drew near to God in prayer (James 4:8a; Mark 1:35; Lk 11:1-13)

d. Jesus was sinless (James 4:8b; John 7:53-8:11)

e. Jesus empathize (James 4:9; 4:14-15)

f. Jesus died, raised, ascended (James 4:10; 1 Cor 15:1-4 ; Phil 2:5-11).

Now why list these highpoints of Jesus' life and ministry? Because not only are Christians defined by how Jesus lived, but also by how He lives in them by the Holy Spirit - as well as how they live in Him (Ephesians 2:6-8). In other words, there is only One Person, Who as a man succeeded in living His life flawlessly before the Heavenly Father - namely Jesus Christ. Moreover, this same Person, being God at the same time - is able to make His power and Person available to the Christian by the Holy Spirit (see John 16:12-13; Colossians 1:27).

The question is - are you and I yielded to Jesus? Jesus prioritized His life perfectly, and thus by Him we can learn progressively how to prioritize our lives around God's kingdom. Focusing on Jesus is commanded of us in scripture (Hebrews 12:1-2), and thankfully the grace of the barren cross is available to ensure we don't get discouraged in such efforts (Hebrews 12:3). 

Jesus Christ is not hermetically sealed-off in history or in the pages of scripture. By the Spirit-filled life, His power and Person is available to every Christian who yields in daily submission to Him. The passion to serve God was never question in Jesus. Throughout the four Gospels we will see statements about Jesus limiting His activites due to it "not being His hour". Jesus was obsessed with doing the Father's will. To know that He did so with precision, and to know that in terms of His humanity, means Christians can plug into His power by the Holy Spirit ought to encourage us greatly. 

In short, we as Christians can succeed in this upcoming year because Jesus is in us, and we in Him! (Eph 2:6-7; Col 1:27; 1 Cor 2:16)

3. How you live out Christ - centered planning (depending on Jesus) James 4:11-12 & 4:13-17
Today we looked at what is necessary for God-centered planning (and why we fail) as well as Who is required for such planning (and thus, how to succeed). Having considered these two points, how is it we can live out such planning. To put it another way - what areas require us to apply these truths?

a. In your Relationships. We know the importance of loving your neighbor James 4:11-12; Mt 22:37-39). When you and I yield to Jesus' Lordship and live in Him and He in us, we will avoid the misjudging of others that so-often characterizes the carrying out of our plans. Planning is never done in isolation from others. What we plan around the Lord includes other people. Getting to know one another, praying for each other, listening to one another is how we will curb this. 

Remember, Jesus lives in you believer, and you in Him. He did this already, and by His Spirit desires to live it through you. So we apply God-centered planning around our relationships, but notice a second area...

b. With your Time. James 4:13-16 was quoted at the beginning of today's post. We must understand that on the one hand, failure to plan is planning to fail. With that said, too often we presume and worry about tomorrow while ignoring the fact that God has given us "greater grace" for today (see James 4:6; Lamentations 3:23-27). When Jesus is at the center of our planning, how we steward our time will change. We won't presume, but operate in faith. That is, we won't live on the basis of our five senses only, but also with that sixth sense, faith (Colossians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:7). 

In conclusion

Successful God-centered planning cannot be done in the flesh. Jesus Christ is required for successful God-centered planning. James gives us the command to be careful in how we consider our plans for the future, with the implication being that without Jesus - such planning cannot be achieved. May we as Christians plug into Jesus' Lordship by His Spirit and live out life around the glory of God in the upcoming year. 

Further thoughts on music in the Christmas accounts of Luke's Gospel

Luke 2:13-15  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
The Glory of Christmas
Merry Christmas to those who are reading this blog today.  Yesterday we began to look at the musical side of the Christmas story.  We noted two songs in Luke's record that spoke of Christ's coming: "The Magnificat" and "The Benedictus".  Today's blog features the third of five songs recorded by Luke in Luke 2:14, which in the Latin Bible (the Vulgate) would had begun with the first word "gloria" (hence its title in some of today's Bibles).  You may recognize that this word is where we derive our word "glory".  To glory in something means to think or regard someone or something with the highest thoughts possible.  No doubt, this shortest of the five songs tells us something profound about the night Christ in his humanity would be born.

It took all of Heaven to tell of His glory here on earth - The Biggest Concert Ever
The number of angels in Heaven, though not specifically given to us, are roughly revealed to us in scripture.  In passages such as Daniel 7 and Revelation 4 and 5 we discover that there are in upwards of 100 trillion angels sings praises to God, day and night. 

Now here on planet earth, we have over 7 billion people.  To just give you an idea of how big the heavenly hosts are, 100 trillion angels would be enough for every person on planet earth to have over 14,000 angels.  To put it in another perspective, in order to have a room big enough to accomodate 100 trillion people, you would need a room that would be over 60 million miles long and wide (roughly corresponding to the orbit of Venus around the sun)! 

No doubt, what the shepherds saw in the short burst of Heavenly glory would had no doubt frightened them.  The angelic host, bringing the news of the Savior's birth, would had stretched literally from Heaven to earth. 

This huge concert lasted less than five seconds
In the original Greek of Luke the angels sung 11 words.  Why so short?  If we know one thing about the God of the Bible - He can communicate an whole lot in a few words.  Moreover, if the glory of God being refracted and reflected through these angels had been in that field any longer, the whole world and universe would had been destroyed!  Isaiah for instance tells of a vision He saw in Isaiah 6, where the foundations of God's throne room in Heaven "shook" at the singing of his glory by the angels.  So if the environment designed to withstand the continuous praise of God's glory could hardly sustain such glory, imagine the result for this world.

What did the angels sing?
This enormously short concert communicated an enormous amount to these shepherds.  When we unpack Luke 2:14, here is what we learn about the incredible good news brought that first Christmas night:

1. God's Glory in human flesh is mind blowing.  In the original language we could translate the first part of the angel's song as: "Glory is in the most high God".  These angels, as powerful and as smart as they were, marveled at the miracle that took place on that first Christmas night.  Their Creator was going to manifest himself through a second, aquired nature - a human one.  The One whom they had worshipped as sharing the eternal undivided Divne nature with the Father and Holy Spirit would be revealed in frail humanity.  1 Peter 1:12 records that the angels are still blown away by what God did, for Peter writes at the end of that verse: "things into which angels long to look". 

2. God's Grace among humanity is most beautiful.  The next part of their song has these words: "and on earth peace".  When angels normally showed up in scripture, unless they specifically said so, their showing up usually meant judgment.  In a much lesser way, if I saw a row of police cars and firetrucks coming toward my house and pulling into my driveway, I would be alarmed, for I would wonder why it is they have come. 

However, if the police and fire rescue told me they had come to surround me to protect me from an approaching firestorm sweeping accross the county, I would find their flashing lights and blaring sirens most beautiful.  I would have no fear.  When Christ came that night, he was heralded by Heaven's Angelic Servant Squad!  He came to accomplish salvation that would shield all those who would believe on Him from the fiery wrath of God that is coming on this world. (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 3)  We can tell by the Shepherd's excitement that this news was beautiful to hear - God Himself has come to the rescue. 

3. God's Gospel announces salvation to all who by grace believe. The last part of the angels' song tells us: "among men with whom He is pleased."  How is a person made pleasing to God?  It is not by good moral living. (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Its not by keeping the ten commandments. (Romans 3:20)  Its not by going to church, being baptized, joining a civic organization or any other method of man's righteousness. (Isaiah 64:6).  There is only one way one can be pleasing in God's sight - be as good or as "much in the right" (i.e righteous) as God is! 

The righteousness required in salvation cannot be grasped by journeying up to heaven through a human ladder of morality. Both Old and New Testaments proclaim in unity that in effect - God is the One Who chooses to supply the requirements by coming down to where we are - which is the whole point of the incarnation (Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 10:1-8). 

Now the Bible is pretty clear, there is no human being who could ever attain that level of moral and spiritual goodness.  However there is only one human being who was indeed as right as God - for He is God - that One is Jesus Christ.  Everything He merited before God can be credited to you when you by faith trust in Him.  That is what the angels were singing.  "On whom His favor rests" means that God's grace has come, calling out to you to believe on the One whom He sent. (John 3:16; John 17:3)

Therefore in order to receive everything that Christ ever accomplished into your life, there is only one means by which you can be declared "in the right" with God - faith alone.  That is not only good news, and not only great news, but that is news worth singing about!