To the Wilderness

Mark through the eyes of Jesus (2)

Mark 1.12
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

First things first.

Jesus would seem to have had a ready-made opportunity to launch His ministry among the multitudes crowding to John. Perhaps many of them had heard the voice from heaven, and were even looking expectantly to Him.

But He knew that, before His earthly work could begin, He needed to establish His Presence and authority over the kingdom of the devil.

So He turned His eyes to the desert and retreated there for forty days, fasting.

At the end of His fast, His adversary finally screwed up the courage to confront Him, only to be undone and overthrown. In the desert Jesus knew the company of wild beasts, but they were no threat to Him Who was their Maker and Lord. Angels came to minister to Him, renewing His strength and showing how, in their ministrations to Him they care for all who follow Him.

In the midst of barrenness, waste, deprivation, and isolation, Jesus overthrew Satan by the power of God’s Word. That done, and Satan bound by the Word of God, the plundering of his household and domain could begin.

To read more of Jesus' victory over the devil, order a free copy of our book, Satan Bound, by clicking here.

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