The Early Ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus' Baptism and Temptation, Sections 17-19

Section 17
JOHN THE BAPTIST'S PERSON AND PREACHING
(In the wilderness of Judea, and on the banks of the Jordan, occupying several months, probably A. D. 25 or 26.)
a. MATT. 3: 1-12 
b. MARK 1: 1-8
c. LUKE 3:1-18

John's a maverick of sorts; I admire his candor.  When the Pharisees show up in the desert, he lambast them as a "brood of vipers."  He had no pet causes or fear of the religious establishment.  The gospel of Mark begins with John, not bothering with genealogies or birth narratives.  Straight up Mark--his focus was broad strokes, strong themes.

Jen Norton, "St. John the Baptist"

His message was forthright and had two parts: (1) a soteriological aspect, repent, and (2) an eschatological aspect, for the kingdom of heaven is near. The concept of a coming kingdom was well known in Old Testament Scriptures. But the idea that repentance was necessary in order to enter this kingdom was something new and became a stumbling block to many Jews. -BKC

His preaching “in the Desert of Judea” (Mat_3:1) suggests that he came to separate people from the religious systems of the day. Like Elijah he was a rough outdoorsman with a forthright message.-BKC

The crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers all asked, What should we do (Luk_3:10, Luk_3:12, Luk_3:14) to give evidence of genuine repentance? (Cf. similar questions in Luk_10:25; Luk_18:18.) In response John told the people to be (a) generous (Luk_3:11), (b) honest (Luk_3:13), and (c) content (Luk_3:14). -BKC

A person showed his repentance by being generous with the necessities of life - clothing and food. A tunic (chitōn) was a shirtlike garment. Often people wore two if they had them.Tax collectors, notorious for their dishonesty in collecting more than required and pocketing it for themselves (cf. Luk_5:27-32), exemplified the need for honesty. And soldiers, known and hated for always trying to get more money (by extorting it and blaming others for it), were examples of the need to be content and gentle.-BKC

John’s advice to the various classes of hearers illustrates the truth that the commonest field of duty and the homeliest acts may become sacred. Not high-flying, singular modes of life, abandoning the vulgar tasks, but the plainest prose of jog-trot duty will follow and attest real repentance. -Andrew MacLaren

Section 18
BEGINNING OF OUR LORD'S MINISTRY. 18. JESUS BAPTIZED BY JOHN IN THE JORDAN
(Jordan east of Jericho, Spring of A. D. 27.) 
a. MATT. 3:13-17
b. MARK 1:9-11 
c. LUKE 3:21-23

Matthew tells us that Jesus comes from Galilee to be baptised and that although John initially resists, he concedes when Jesus tells him “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  Luke is the only one who mentions the Spirit in the bodily shape of a dove, though all three mention the Spirit.

Regarding the nuances of John the Baptist's personality and mission:

But, though he dimly saw, he perfectly adored. He felt himself unworthy (literally, insufficient) to be the slave who untied (or, according to Matthew, ‘bore’) his lord’s sandals. How beautiful is the lowliness of that strong nature! He stood erect in the face of priests and tetrarchs, and furious women, and the headsman with his sword, but he lay prostrate before his King. -Alexander MacLaren

Section 19
JESUS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS 
a. MATT. 4:1-11 
b. MARK 1:12, 13 
c. LUKE 4: 1-13

The word for the heavens opening in Mark is

Rent asunder (schizomenous). Split like a garment, present passive participle. Jesus saw the heavens parting as he came up out of the water, a more vivid picture than the “opened” in Mat_3:16 and Luk_3:21. Evidently the Baptist saw all this and the Holy Spirit coming down upon Jesus as a dove because he later mentions it (Joh_1:32)-RWP

Driveth him forth (auton ekballei). Vivid word, bolder than Matthew’s “was led up” (anēchthē) and Luke’s “was led” (ēgeto). It is the same word employed in the driving out of demons (Mar_1:34, Mar_1:39). Mark has here “straightway” where Matthew has “then” (see note on Mar_1:9). The forty days in the wilderness were under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. The entire earthly life of Jesus was bound up with the Holy Spirit from his birth to his death and resurrection.-RWP

 In this story of Christ's temptation, observe, I. How he was prepared and fitted for it. He that designed him the trial furnished him accordingly; for though we know not what exercises may be before us, nor what encounters we may be reserved for, Christ did, and was provided accordingly; and God doth for us, and we hope will provide accordingly.-M Henry 

 There is a hellish industry about Satan. He knows that his kingdom stands upon a rickety foundation, and therefore he is always anxious. Like a man at sea in a leaky ship, who is afraid of every wind that blows, so is the devil afraid of every new good thing, and every fresh device of divine grace! And when he sees the beginnings, he thinks, “I will destroy the beginnings! I will break down the foundations, and then the walls can never be built.

What we can learn from Christ's temptations according to Spurgeon:

1.First, a holy character does not avert temptation.
2. The greatest distance from the world will not insure you from temptation. W Solitude is no preservative against temptation from Satan! Solitude has its charms, and its benefits, and may be useful in curbing the flesh, and certainly in checking the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life—but the devil should be worsted by other weapons than that of solitude! Still he will attack you even there!
3. The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against Satanic temptation.
4. Nor will the highest form of grace, or the greatest development of a spiritual mind prevent our being tempted.

The Fourfold Gospel takes time to elaborate on the names and personality of the Devil:

There is but one devil in the spirit world. The word which our King James Version translates "devils" should be translated "demons." The word "devil" means false accuser or slanderer, and the word in the plural is twice applied, metaphorically, to men and women (II. Tim. 3:3; I. Tim. 3:11). The devil is called slanderer because he speaks against men (Rev. 12:10-12) and against God (Gen. 3:1-5). The word "devil" is Greek. The word "Satan" is Hebrew, and means adversary (Job 2:1). Satan is referred to under many other terms, such as Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24); serpent (Rev. 12:9); prince of the powers of the air (Eph. 2:2); Abaddon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek), meaning destroyer (Rev. 9:11); Belial, meaning good for nothing (II. Cor. 6:15); murderer and liar (John 8:44); prince of this world (John 12:31); god of this world (II. Cor. 4:4); and the dragon (Rev. 12:7). These terms are always used in the Bible to designate an actual person; they are never used merely to personify evil. 

Our modern world and the Christian church struggle with the concept of Satan.  Christians can be guilty of either ignoring or over-acknowledging his influence and power.

These comments remind me of my musings on Psalm 3 from yesterday.  David led with his faith in God:

"Godly life rests on faith. The life the devil would have us lead rests on ifs and uncertainties, on doubt and skepticism. We should note that foolish men doubt the divinity of Jesus, but the temptations of our Lord show how positively Satan was convinced of it. The opening scenes of Christ's ministry are redolent with his divinity. The Baptist asserted his purity and might, the Spirit visibly acknowledged his worthiness, the Father audibly testified to his Sonship, and the devil twice assaulted him as the divine champion] thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down [94] [The first temptation was to under-confidence; the second to overtrust and presumption--two very dangerous conditions of the soul. Men begin by disparagingly doubting that Jesus can save them from their sins, and end by recklessly presuming that he will save them in their sins."-Fourfold Gospel

 Re the Word:

"It was sufficient for him in his temptations, and with the addition of the New Testament, it is sufficient for us in all things--II. Tim. 3:16, 17; Col. 3:3-16."

 "Satan's abuse of Scripture did not discourage Christ's use of it." -FFG