Mark 1:9-15

New International Version (NIV)

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Devotional

by Luther Seminary "Lent Devotional"

One of the things that I love about the Gospel according to Mark is its straightforwardness. It is both disturbing and inviting. It is disturbing because we want more information. And it is inviting because it allows us to spend time wondering and questioning. Mark 1:13 sums up in one sentence that Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days and the angels waited on him. We don’t know what happened during that time. And yet, what the author is telling us is that Jesus was tempted just as we are today. Jesus knows exactly what we experience in our human lives. We have a God who is with us. God in Jesus chooses to dwell with us in the humanity of wilderness.

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, disturb and invite us to see you in the wilderness of our lives. Amen.