Going Alone

Going Alone

Mark 1:12-13, NLT

The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

Setting the Scene

Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. John had been the talk of Israel, and hundreds were going out to see him, hear him preach, and be baptized as a sign of repentance from sin. John told the crowd, “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals” (Mark 1:7, NLT). When Jesus arrived at the Jordan River where John was baptizing, John exclaimed, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NLT). Jesus requested baptism as well. Although reticent at first, John baptized him, and when Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended, and a voice from heaven declared, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy” (Mark 1:11, NLT).

From a purely human standpoint, that would have been an ego moment: dramatic entrance, great crowds, heavenly declaration. Often a high point like that is followed by a low, as the person at the peak begins to think too highly of him- or herself and tumbles.

But there was no ego trip for Jesus. Immediately following this dramatic event, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the crowds behind and took the offensive against the enemy, Satan, by going into the lonely and desolate wilderness to fight temptation. The fact that Jesus was “compelled” to go there doesn’t mean he was reluctant but rather that Jesus was determined to go, in agreement with the Spirit.

Notice that Satan is real and personal, not an idea or force. A fallen angel, Satan, the devil, is the powerful enemy of God and his people. He should be taken seriously.

The “wilderness” could be dangerous, inhabited by wild animals such as boars, jackals, wolves, foxes, leopards, and hyenas. The fact that the “angels took care of him” probably refers to meeting Jesus’ spiritual needs. Just as Satan’s temptations lasted continuously for the forty days, so did the support and comfort of the angels.

Getting Personal

Why do you think Jesus chose this time for his confrontation with Satan?

What would have made Jesus susceptible to temptation?

When are you most vulnerable to making sinful choices?

How does knowing that Jesus faced the same types of pressures and choices help you resist temptation?

Jesus would have been very vulnerable: suddenly alone—away from his followers and the crowd, in a hostile environment, and hungry.

The writer of Hebrews explains that Jesus “faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (4:15, NLT). When Jesus became a living, breathing human being, he submitted himself fully to human limitations. He would have felt elation at his baptism, sensing the closeness of his Father and excitement about beginning his public ministry. Then he would have felt the chill of the wind as he sat on the hard ground and heard the night howls of prowling animals. He would have experienced gnawing hunger and thirst. The temptations were real.

From Jesus’ experience we learn that God may lead us into dangerous and intense spiritual battles. We won’t always feel good; in fact, we will have times of deprivation, loneliness, and hostility. It also teaches us that Jesus did, in fact, experience extreme temptations; he knows what we’re facing, and he knows how we feel.

Talking to God

Pray, as Jesus taught his disciples, that God would lead you away from temptation and deliver you from evil. Thank Jesus for being willing to suffer temptation in order to understand you and to show you the way to stand against it.