READY FOR THE CHALLENGE
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son whose sacrifice brought me salvation—and for the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me and who teaches and guides me.
Read MARK 1:9–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
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[a] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Footnotes
- Mark 1:13 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of a time when you faced a new challenge. What helped you to cope? What challenges are facing you today?When you start a new job or a new role, there is often a time of preparation and induction. Before his public ministry began, Jesus was sent by the Spirit for a time of testing (v. 12). Matthew and Luke give us more details about some of the tests he faced (Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). But here Mark is content to tell us that he spent 40 days in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan. It seems that it was somehow necessary for Jesus to establish his priorities before his ministry could begin in earnest.
In his baptism, Jesus received the resources to face this time of testing. Heaven met earth as the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus and a voice from heaven told him that he was God’s beloved Son (v. 11). Jesus faced the test of the wilderness reassured, equipped, and ready. And notice, God’s ‘angels attended him’ (v. 13).
Amazing as it may be, when we become Christians, we are adopted into Jesus’ family and receive the same Holy Spirit: “Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Galatians 4:6, NLT).
Apply
Are you currently facing a time of testing? How are you responding? Caving to temptation? Calling out to Abba Father for strength? Spend some time in his presence today.
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, that there is no test, nor temptation, through which you cannot make your strength made known. In my weaknesses, thank you that I can come to you for everything I need.
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