He Was Tempted Too
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him” (Mark 1:9-13).
Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann writes:
“Lent is a spiritual journey and its destination is Easter, the feasts of feasts.”1
As we journey with Christ to resurrection joy, there will be times that we go through the wilderness. Jesus has been through it all, and is with us every step of the way.
The writer to the Hebrews (who many scholars think was a woman), puts it this way:
“For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Heb. 2:18).”
We can call out to Christ in all our sufferings and temptation, and he gets it, and he carries us through.
Even in the wilderness we know that Christ has already come to be with us—”the word of God became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14, MSG version)
Here is a detail from my painting of John 1:14, which is in the UHill Church Christians Seasons Calendar for Holy week:
The UHill folks have created a short daily online devotional for every day of the year, which you can access here:
Click here for free short daily devo.
https://www.uhill.net/daily/
Be blessed and rest in God’s love for you and for the whole world.
Wherever you go, here is a sending benediction for you:
After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. Do not be afraid. Receive the blessings that God has for you today. Do not be afraid. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen
(Based on 1 Peter 5:10, RSV)
Below is the voice recording of this post:
This red link is to Chris Rice singing about our friend Jesus, the lover of our souls:
Alexander Schmemann, Great Lent (St. Vladmir’s Seminary Press, N.Y., 1974), p. 11.