While in the Wilderness

N.T.#493 "While in the Wilderness"

Feb. 24, 2025 

Luke 4

LET IT GLOW

Ever feel like you are in the wilderness?  Jesus went there on purpose. Why? Read on to find the answer.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. He did it in order to fulfill righteousness. (Matt. 3:15) Jesus identified with those whom He redeemed. He was showing His death, burial, and resurrection to come for the sins of the world. This pleased the Heavenly Father. 

Not only did God's voice speak His pleasure in His Son after the baptism of Jesus, but also on two other occasions-the Transfiguration (Luke 9:23), and the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  (John 12:28). (I didn't realize this.) (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Then the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. There He stayed for 40 days and fasted. (verse 2) Why was Jesus led there and for what purpose? He was tempted of the devil. 

Evidently being under the influence of the Spirit does not mean uninterrupted peace and tranquility. Jesus was in the middle of the Judean wilderness, a completely barren place. (Evans)

Here are some of my thoughts, which could be totally wrong or right on course.                                      

• I think God was giving Jesus instructions while He was there. Jesus was away from the noise of town, had time on His hands, away from work. 
• Jesus was learning who He was, the Son of God, the Savior, the Messiah. 
• Jesus was going to be confronted by the religious leaders many times, so He had to know the Word. He had to learn to submit to God for wisdom for comebacks. 
• He had to learn to restrain His power. He could have zapped people dead, but Jesus chose to heal the sick and diseased with His power, instead.
• Jesus was going to pick and choose His disciples. And it sure wasn't easy to put up with them during the process of their spiritual training.
• He was taught the Beatitudes before Jesus taught them to the people. What a preacher!
• Jesus taught in parables, with a spiritual meaning in mind, so folks could understand what He was talking about. 
• Jesus was developing character. He extended the Ten Commandments using love. 
• Jesus prayed the Lord's Prayer before teaching it.
• Jesus learned acts of worship while alone. He learned praying, fasting, and giving.
• He had sheep to lead as our Good Shepherd.
• Jesus was preparing people for heaven.
• He knew the signs of the end times, what the Tribulation entailed. 

LET IT GROW

Jesus was not just a great teacher of  the good life. He is The Way, The Truth, The Life. No one comes unto the Father except by faith in Jesus. 

Jesus was prepared for betrayal, for a sacrificial death on a cruel cross in order to take our punishment for our sins. What a Savior! Yet, He knew the shedding of His blood, as the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb was the only way to satisfy the Father. He willingly did that for you and me and thousands of those before us and after us. 

Jesus knew His life did not end in a tomb. He would rise from the dead on that first day of the week. He reigns forever in heaven, beside the Father, interceding for us.

We have a Savior who was tempted as we are, yet He did not sin!

Friend, do you know my Jesus as your Savior? Simply ask Him to forgive your sins, come into your heart, and trust Him today.

LET IT GO

Turn to Jesus for strength, compassion, and power to resist the temptations of the world.

Help us to deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow You, Sweet Jesus.