Since part of the purpose of Lent is to identify with Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, I thought it a good idea to go back and reread it. I made it as far as verse 1 before I had to stop.
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” Matthew 4:1
The Spirit led Him into the wilderness. I checked and in all 3 accounts it says the same thing.
“And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.” Mark 1:11-12
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,” Luke 4:1
This is a beautiful reminder. So often when we find ourselves in the wilderness, we think we’ve done something wrong and are being punished – we often judge others wrongly in the same way. This clearly says that the Spirit led Jesus. Not only that, but moments before God had said that this was His son in whom He was “well pleased”. If He was well pleased, then surely He wasn’t punishing Jesus!
We are sent to the wilderness to be tested and tried. It’s in the wilderness that God scorches out any impurities. It’s in the wilderness He refines us. It’s in His great love for us that He sends us there.
Selah.
God thank You for loving us enough to allow us to be tested and tried. Thank You for Your grace that is there to bring us through it. Thank You that Your angels are quick to minister to us as we walk out of the desert (Mark 1:13). You love us so. Help us to know that it is in Your great love that You desire to see us strengthened. We trust You to lead us where we need to go and yield to Your leading.
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This one made me cry… I never knew that about this story. How beautiful to think that he can be pleased with us, and like a good parent, push us (in the wilderness) to grow and become stronger and more pure. He is good… even when we feel like we are failing him, even if it is just testing or strengthening… he is still there with us. Thanks for sharing this insight… definitely a selah moment.
I know this from studies in the past, but thank you for the timely reminder!
The enemy gets the credit for far too many things from believers, when in reality, God is at work in our lives.
It truly is a blessing and comfort to know that He is with us at all times!