Mark 1:9-15
In our meditations on the Spirit (through Acts on Sunday mornings), we have stressed the Holy Spirit's role in filling people for the sake of evangelism. I don't want to stretch things, but in looking at these passages, I see that pattern exemplified in Christ. Notice the emphasis on the Holy Spirit--descended upon Jesus, driving Jesus into the wilderness of preparation, and then the Kingdom, the Gospel of God, is proclaimed. I believe that sheds some more light on the importance of the phrase we looked at yesterday, "but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit, the comforter, in us is not just for our own discomfort. The Holy Spirit exalts Christ--not persons. It is the reminder of the exalted Christ that brings us true comfort in any circumstance; and when Christ is exalted, the Gospel of God, the Kingdom, is proclaimed--and that is what the Holy Spirit accomlishes in God's people.
I can't help but think of the implications of vv. 12-13. "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him." What a struggle. What a fight for truth. What a time of trial and heartache. Why would the Spirit, in His role to exalt Christ (the anointed one, the promised one) drive Jesus into the wilderness for forty days of temptation? What does this have to do with the Gospel and the Kingdom?
I think it's a reminder of God's love for the world. I heard John Piper say in a sermon yesterday as I drove to Tulsa and back something to this effect...the cross is not about your value but God's grace. In other words, we cannot look at the cross and say, "Wow. God loved me that much. I am so important to God that He crucified His Son. I am so very special." That is unbiblical. We must look at the cross and say, "Wow. My sin is that great. The only thing that could atone for my filthiness, my unworthiness, my sinfulness was the death of Jesus!"
And here's the reminder of God's love for the world. "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to helpin time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16) Jesus, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, went into the wilderness of temptation so that He could make a perfect transfer of sin and righteousness. The wilderness doesn't show us our value, but reminds us that even as sinners we have a great High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses--He doesn't overlook sin, but is right there for us as we struggle with sin, reminding us "I know what you are going through. I had victory over that in my struggle. I have conquered sin. Look to me and my righteousness. Here at my throne you will find mercy and grace." Is this not part of the Gospel of God and of the Kingdom?
"The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him." God's love and mercy and grace and hope and good news is all over that. What a reminder as we go back out into the wilderness today and struggle with sin.
