Wilderness Adventures with Jesus – Mark 1 v 9-13

Jesus and an alarming affirmation.

Verse 9: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.”

Why would Jesus, who’s sinless, need a symbolic cleansing? Why does he need to get baptised. It’s like He’s saying, “I’m here to identify with you, to be part of your story.”

Verse 10: “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

This moment is awesome. It’s God affirming Jesus and His mission. But just like Jesus was affirmed in His identity at baptism, our identity is found in Christ. Through faith, we’re part of God’s family.

Verse 12: “At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness.”

And now, the adventure begins! Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, heads straight into the wilderness. It’s like His training ground, a place of solitude, and a test of His identity and purpose. We all face challenges, but just as Jesus was strengthened in the wilderness, our tough times can be opportunities for growth and reliance on God.

Verse 13: “He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”

Talk about a challenge! Jesus faces temptations, but He stands strong. The wild animals and the attending angels add to the drama. Jesus even in the toughest times, remains faithful. Jesus faced temptations with the power of the Holy Spirit. We, too, have access to this power to navigate life’s challenges.

So, let’s embrace our identity, face challenges with faith, tap into the Holy Spirit’s power, and remember that God is cheering us on!