The Temptation of Jesus: Mark 1:12-13
“12) Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13) And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” Mark 1:12-13
We now discover the second use of the word “immediately” in the gospel of Mark. After being baptized by John and receiving the Holy Spirit, “immediately” He was impelled into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
John does not record the fact that Jesus was fasting for forty days and nights, nor the nature of the temptations, he simply records how quickly it started. Jesus went from the spiritual high of baptism to the wilderness of temptation the same day.
Walking in the Spirit does not make you immune to temptation, rather it gives a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Satan did not leave Jesus alone, instead he personally handled the tempting of Jesus just as he had the tempting of Eve in the garden. However, Jesus passed every test.
Notice verse 13; “… the angels were ministering to Him.” Jesus was not alone. God does not abandon His own. According to Hebrews 1:14, angels are there to help those who will inherit salvation.” If your spiritual eyes were opened, you might notice with the servant of Elisha the great army of angels that surround you. (See 2 Kings 6:15-17)
Such was the focus of Mark. He did not dwell on the tempter, instead he focused on the amazing provision of God. Jesus was not alone in the wilderness.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“12) Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13) And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” Mark 1:12-13
We now discover the second use of the word “immediately” in the gospel of Mark. After being baptized by John and receiving the Holy Spirit, “immediately” He was impelled into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
John does not record the fact that Jesus was fasting for forty days and nights, nor the nature of the temptations, he simply records how quickly it started. Jesus went from the spiritual high of baptism to the wilderness of temptation the same day.
Walking in the Spirit does not make you immune to temptation, rather it gives a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Satan did not leave Jesus alone, instead he personally handled the tempting of Jesus just as he had the tempting of Eve in the garden. However, Jesus passed every test.
Notice verse 13; “… the angels were ministering to Him.” Jesus was not alone. God does not abandon His own. According to Hebrews 1:14, angels are there to help those who will inherit salvation.” If your spiritual eyes were opened, you might notice with the servant of Elisha the great army of angels that surround you. (See 2 Kings 6:15-17)
Such was the focus of Mark. He did not dwell on the tempter, instead he focused on the amazing provision of God. Jesus was not alone in the wilderness.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
