If you've ever been on holiday in Africa, Egypt, you'll probably go out into the desert one day to see what it's like in real life. Sand as far as the eye can see. It's an interesting moment in your experience, because now you don't just know the desert from the media, you can say you've seen it with your own eyes. But what if they told you that good, now you're spending the rest of your holiday here alone, not in a hotel. Now that wouldn't get you so excited.
„The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.” Mark 1:12 ESV
Mark 1:12-13
Before you go any further, read today's passage in your Bible. Listen to what God wants to say to you.
I have quite a few questions when I read this section. Why did he go out into the wilderness? While being tempted by Satan why didn't he leave and go back to the city? Why did he need the angels? Why did the angels do nothing to Satan? And the questions go on.
One thing is for sure, Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, that is, it was God's will. We too often end up in the "wilderness", sometimes unwillingly, sometimes through our own fault, sometimes through the fault of others. Now I want to look at what happens when God takes us out into the "wilderness". Why do it? Why did he do it to Jesus?
Intensive preparation
Reading the parallel gospels, and knowing the later stories of Jesus, we can see that Jesus had a very serious task ahead of him. He was about to begin the spectacular ministry of His earthly life, and He was about to choose the twelve who would later carry on His mission.
Jesus spent these forty days fasting and praying. The very thought of it makes me ashamed, because we twenty-first century people are so comfortable, so hard to bring ourselves to fast for even one day, so forty? Jesus did not leave things to chance, he prayed hard that everything would be according to God's will.
Satan doesn't like it when you're on your knees
Meanwhile, Satan was haunting him. Satan doesn't like you on your knees, he doesn't like you spending time with God. He'll do everything he can to put obstacles in your way, to discourage you, to put fear in you. But you know, Jesus could not be moved by Satan out of what He went into the wilderness to do. He would not give in to temptation, no matter what Satan offered. He didn't run away, He didn't run back to the city, but He continued to stay there to prepare Him for whatever God wanted Him to do.
And how nice to read at the end of the poem that he was served by angels. He was not alone. God will not leave you alone. When you are fighting the devil, fighting the attacks of evil, know that God's angelic armies are there fighting beside you in the spiritual realm. You are not fighting alone.
„For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 ESV
God allows "wildernesses" in your life to prepare you for a task ahead. Immerse yourself in God's presence, hear what he wants to do with you, what he wants to prepare you for. Resist the devil and he will run. Don't you run away, you are not alone, let this be an encouragement to you.
Reflective questions
- If you are in the "wilderness", pray and fast, listening to what God is preparing you for.
- When Satan attacks and tempts you, do not run away but resist him. "Submit yourselves therefore to God, but resist the devil, and he will flee from you". James 4:7 Jesus showed exactly how to resist the devil. The parallel gospels describe these forty days in more detail. God is with you, he will help you, you can do it. Resist the devil.
- You are not alone in your struggle. God's angelic armies are fighting for you.
What an encouragement this is today. You don't have to fight alone. I don't know how scared you get when you go home at night in the dark. I guess you're very cautious, you turn your back at every nessz, and you think about wishing you were home already. But what if you go home in the dark with a group of friends. You have no fear at all anymore, because if anything, you're not alone. Friends can help you, they'll protect you.
How good it is that as children of God we do not have to fear alone, but have an "army" of protection with us.
Judit
It's a difficult time in the wilderness, I've experienced it a few times myself, but then I've seen God's wonderful work in my life. If you're going through one of those times, or have a story from before that you'd like to share, please write to us. It's so good to gain encouragement from each other.
If you have any questions about today's passage, feel free to contact us.