The Pilgrim Path---The Gospel of Mark, 1: 12, 13 ---(3-26-20)---THE MESSAGE

At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

The Gospel of Mark is all about action. He wrote the book for people of every conceivable background: some religion, no religion---a little of this---a little of that. He was moved by the Spirit of God to reveal Jesus as the God-Man. So, you get all these neat "snap-shots" of the Christ---and you seem to get them so quickly. I like how the MESSAGE says, "At once,"---so many versions say something like, "straightway" or "immediately"---that happens about 41 times in Mark's Gospel. There is a great deal going on. Well, notice that the Lord Jesus is baptized--and off he goes. Kingdom endeavors must be handled. The Holy Spirit "propels" him on. That term is used eleven times in Mark's Gospel for the "casting out" of demons. This is speaking of the intensity of Jesus' movement into the desert to "deal" with the devil and make preparation for on-going ministry (Jesus would show the devil that the Son is actually superior). This is an incredible passage. It's hard for me not to come away thinking: I'm only here for a little while---here's a "piece" of a work by the late missionary C. T. Studd:

Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life's busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Great quote: Thomas Watson---"Note that it was immediately after His baptism our Lord was led into the wilderness to be tempted. Satan, like a pirate, sets on a ship that is richly laden ; so when a soul hath been laden with spiritual comforts, now the devil will be shooting at him to rob him of all."

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our LORD, Pastor Jason