Mark 1:9-11-- Jesus' Baptism

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."

Here we see God appointing Jesus as the Son of God. The text says that Jesus alone saw the vision, and so it was not public yet. But the vision that was seen communicated that Jesus was anointed by God to be king over God’s people and that he received God’s Spirit as evidence that he was king. The Spirit meant that Jesus could use the power of God. But since this was a private ceremony, Jesus could not announce to others that he was king—even as David couldn’t announce it after he was anointed (I Samuel 16).

Jesus was completely submitted to God-- he didn't make a move forward until the Father directed him. He knew he was the appointed Messiah from this moment forward, and he acted with this power. But never for himself, it was always for others. To be able to accomplish great feats, but to rely completely on God-- would that we could have such conviction!