Riches Of The Desert

Mark 1:12-13 (NIV)
¹² At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,
¹³ and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Mark 1:12-13 (MSG)
¹² At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild.
¹³ For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

I wonder if our life here on earth can be viewed in light of the account of the wilderness experience of Jesus. We often find ourselves in an unexplainable and bewildering world. We encounter all sorts of temptations. We walk in the midst of wild things.

I have often thought that our purpose boils down to one thing: to find God. He is not lost of course, but we are. That is our most important job and the most important decision we will ever make.

In the desert Jesus is confronted by Satan and all of his temptations. Jesus is a long way from the heavenly realms. Even the noise and distractions of the city are far away. He is exposed to the privations of the land and the darkness of Satan in a unique way. Could it not be said that the darkness and suffering that Christ experienced enabled Him to see God’s light more clearly and to more completely be that light? Can the same be said of us?

Jesus leaves the desert in strength and power. He gives that strength and power to us as we walk in our own desert. We too will leave this place and we will be judged by choices we make.