As we read through the Gospel of Mark, it doesn’t take long before we notice the extreme pace of events throughout the Gospel! One minute Jesus is being baptised and God is telling the world that his Son who he loves is here (vs 9–11); then, he’s being tempted in the wilderness by Satan (vs 12,13); next, we hear John the Baptist has been imprisoned, and Jesus has taken up John’s mantle of announcing the kingdom of God: ‘The kingdom of God has come near’ (vs 14,15).

Then, we see Jesus walking along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. He calls to Simon (Peter) and Andrew to follow him, and he will make them fishers, but this time, of people (v 17). Immediately they leave their family business and all they have ever known to follow Jesus. The three of them walk further down the shoreline and they see two more brothers, James and John. Again, Jesus calls, and again, they leave their family business and follow Jesus. Why? Because the kingdom of heaven has come near, is moving fast and they don’t want to miss out on what’s about to unfold. 

Reflect on how you have grown in your faith over time. What events, people and experiences were central to this growth? Spend time giving thanks for them. 

When someone begins a new job, they are usually given time to settle in, receiving training before beginning the new role in earnest. John’s baptism marks the start of Jesus’ ministry. However, Jesus didn’t get a gentle introduction. Mark uses his favourite word, ‘immediately’, to indicate that the wilderness experience quickly followed on from the Lord’s baptism (v 12, AV). Jesus’ encounter with Satan was no unfortunate accident: Mark stresses that this was the work of the Holy Spirit. He says the Spirit ‘sent’ Jesus out into the wilderness. There is no doubt that this was God’s will.  

However, Satan was not the only threat Jesus faced. The Judean wilderness was a hot, rocky landscape, inhabited by wild animals. Why was it necessary for Jesus to begin his ministry in such a difficult way? Mark believed that this testing time was important preparation for Jesus’ work. His experience of God’s protection from wild beasts must have reassured him when he later faced opposition from powerful enemies. Similarly, surviving the inhospitable wilderness must have assured him of God’s provision, when he later wandered from town to town, teaching, without a home of his own. Above all, his success in resisting the temptations of Satan confirmed his authority over evil and sin, something which would be central to his ministry.

Can you see God at work in any testing times you are going through? Are those challenges strengthening or weakening your faith? What difference does it make to know that Jesus was tested too? 

Talk to God about any testing times you are going through and be honest about the struggles. Pray, too, for Christians you know who are going through hard times.