Mark 1:9-15[1]
For all of the popular
media around “the wilderness,” I would say it has varying degrees of appeal.
For some of us, “roughing it” means spending a vacation in something less than
a four-star resort. I for one enjoy spending time in the outdoors. I’ve spent
many nights under the stars, and I thoroughly enjoyed most of them (not so much
when it was pouring down rain!). And I have been on at least one trek in the
middle of a National Forest, with a backpack full of gear and food and a group
of several others with me. I’ve never been placed in the “middle of nowhere”
and left on my own to fend for myself. I don’t think I’d want to do that. That
version of being “in the wilderness” holds no appeal for me whatsoever!
In Jesus’ day, the
“wilderness” was not something that was idealized for its pristine beauty or
seen as a challenge to go out and overcome. The “wilderness” was as a place to
avoid. It was the haunt of bandits and demons, and it is where Jesus
encountered “the Satan” and “wild beasts.” Despite all this, in Mark’s Gospel
the “wilderness” was the place where the “forerunner” made his appearance to
“prepare the way of the Lord” (Mk 1:3-4). And the “wilderness” was also the
place where Jesus was baptized (Mk 1:9). Though Jesus spent forty days in the
“wilderness,” he was accompanied by the Spirit of God and by angels who “were
serving him!”
Mark’s Gospel tells us a
different story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness than the one we’re most
familiar with. If we take the Gospel of Mark seriously as a Gospel, we have to
admit that our lesson for today presents us with a riddle. Jesus was in a place
most people considered the very heart of danger, and yet he was neither in
danger nor was he alone. Despite what the other Gospels tell us about Jesus’
temptation, it’s possible that when the angels were “serving” him, they were
feeding him as they did for Elijah on his forty-day journey into the wilderness
(1 Kg. 19:4-8). That would suggest perhaps Jesus didn’t fast in Mark’s version
of the temptation! In fact, many scholars believe that even the “wild beasts”
posed no threat to him, because his presence created peace with them that the
Bible only envisions in the kingdom of God (cf. Isa. 11:6-9)!
So, we’re left to wonder
how Mark’s account of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness constituted a
“temptation.” It would seem that he was not in danger. It’s possible that he
didn’t have to go hungry. Where was the temptation? For one thing, in Mark’s
Gospel, wherever Jesus went his very presence provoked a confrontation with the
powers of evil. We see this confrontation here with the Satan,” or the accuser.
The idea is that it went on continuously throughout the forty days. That in and
of itself must have been exhausting for Jesus. Elsewhere in Mark’s Gospel when
we see Jesus confronting the powers of evil, we also see him withdrawing by
himself for a time of respite and prayer. He had no chance for any such respite
here.
Besides the ongoing
stress of confronting the powers of evil, I wonder if there wasn’t something
more directed toward Jesus personally. I think we might see a hint when we read
the rest of Mark’s Gospel. Jesus faced a constant temptation about whether or
not he would fulfill God’s purpose for his life. He was continually pressed by
the crowds to heal their sick, but that wasn’t his purpose. He was challenged
by the religious leaders on every turn, but his purpose wasn’t to straighten
them out. I would say that Jesus was tested even by his own disciples who
believed he was destined to ascend the throne of Israel. That also wasn’t his
purpose.
Jesus made it clear that
his mission was to proclaim the good news that he was truly bringing to them
the kingdom of God, a kingdom which offered God’s unconditional love,
undeserved grace, and unfailing mercy to all. And it’s clear Jesus realized
that fulfilling this mission was going to lead him down a path that would end
with his death on a cross. In this respect, I would say that Jesus’ temptation
lasted more than forty days. Throughout his ministry he faced the temptation to
take a path other than the one that God had laid out for him, the path that
would lead him to a cross. He was constantly tempted to give in to the cries
for him to be a healer, a provider, or a hero, but not a Savior who would die
for them and for us all. And at every turn, Jesus demonstrated his unswerving
devotion to fulfill the mission for which God had sent him.
In that sense, I think we
could say that Jesus spent his whole ministry in a “wilderness” being tested. I
find comfort in that. It reminds me that he really was “tested in every respect
as we are” (Heb. 4:15). I also find it assuring that Jesus didn’t face this
test alone. He was supported by the grace of God and by the presence of the
Holy Spirit. I think that’s true for us as well. At times our lives can feel
like we’re constantly being tested in the “wilderness.” We all face experiences
that push us to our very limits. It can be so intense we may wonder whether God
has abandoned us. But I would say that God is always there with us, supporting
us with his grace, encouraging us by the presence of his Spirit. Even when we
may at times fail our tests, even when we may stumble and fall, we have a
compassionate Savior and Lord who “sympathizes with our weaknesses” (Heb.
4:15). More than that, because he overcame every test, he opened the door for
us all to receive God’s grace and strength (Heb. 4:16) to face whatever we may
confront in the “wilderness” life can be for us.
[1] ©
2021 Alan Brehm. A sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Brehm, Ph. D. on 2/21/2021 for
Hickman Presbyterian Church, Hickman, NE.
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