Mk.1:9,10 – ESV – In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Mk.1:9,10 – TPT – One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth and had John immerse him in the Jordan River. The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon him.
Mk.1:9,10 – NET – Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
This moment identifies the life changing event in the life of Jesus. Before this day Jesus lived in obscurity in Nazareth, a remote village in Galilee. He was raised with Mary and Joseph in a large family of brothers and sisters. Apparently He worked with his supposed father, Joseph, as a carpenter. Those days were over after this day, Jesus would be thrust into the forefront with a ministry characterized by signs, wonders, and miracles. The world was about to be introduced to Jesus of Nazareth.
When Jesus identified with the spiritual awakening surrounding the ministry of John the Baptist and came into the waters for baptism unexpected events begin to take place. When Jesus came up out of the water Mark said that the heavens were torn open. (Check the different translations quoted today to point out this moment). The Passion Translation says the heavenly realm split apart, the Net Bible said that the heavens were splitting apart.
When the heavens were opened two major things happened to Jesus. He heard the Father’s voice and the Holy Spirit fell upon Him. These are two critical events and become even more critical when we see that this was Jesus experiencing these things as a man. Jesus came so that all people can have this kind of access to the Father. This was the point of His life and death. Because of Jesus, we too can follow Him into the River of God. When you step into the River with Jesus you will also hear His voice and the Holy Spirit will come upon you. Don’t wait another day, the heavens are torn, step into the River and you will hear His voice and be immersed into the Holy Spirit of God.
1 thought on “THE HEAVENS WERE TORN OPEN”
Amen.
Lord, what a description in Mark’s vision of You being baptized and Your Father acknowledging You. Even then, the Holy Spirit was bringing Mark a revelation of a deeper understanding of who You were/are and the effects of Heaven reigning down the importance of Your presence on earth at that designated significance moment in the history of You, the Christ the Son of the Living God.