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The Spirit Forced Jesus into the Wilderness
There he found out who he was and what he was destined to do
At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness.
He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan.
He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
Mark 1:12–13 CEB
Years ago two of my sons and I went for a hike and overnight camp in a nearby wilderness area.
We walked about ten miles, I think, and set up camp at the end of the day. The next day we walked another ten miles back to the car.
We were truly in the wilderness. There were no amenities of any kind. Everything we needed we carried on our backs.
At night it was cold and very dark, and we could hear animals all around. Though it was good to be with my sons on that adventure it was also a challenge. I was glad it lasted only two days and one night.
Jesus’ wilderness experience
So I can’t imagine how it must have been for Jesus, forced into the wilderness, to be tested by Satan for forty days.
We don’t know what Jesus carried with him, but we know he had traveled from Galilee to the Judean wilderness to catch up…
