Mark 1: 12-13 - Christ’s temptation - tested and proven

As usual Mark did not dwell on the temptation of Christ for too long. He explained it in just two short verses. We are told that Jesus was sent into the desert by the Holy Spirit. Notice that it was the Holy Spirit who impelled Him to go into the wilderness to be tempted. And for 40 days, Satan, the adversary, put pressure on Him.

If we cursorily glance through these two verses without giving much thought to Christ’s temptation, we will miss the magnitude and intensity of what He went through. A careful and thoughtful rumination will tell us that all our temptations pale in significance when compared with His. He was caught right smack in the center of the tussle. Think of Satan’s incessant pressure on Him to prove His status as God’s beloved Son. Then think of the threats by the ferocious wild beasts. Then He also had to deal with His physical hunger caused by His fasting.       

But from these two verses, we learn that Jesus was only led into the valley of temptation after He had received God’s highest affirmation. We also read that at the moment of his lowest experience, the angels came to minister to Him. His strength was only tested when He was at the height of His relationship with the Father.  

Similarly, we need to know that at the peak of our relationship with God, our strength in Him may be tested. Circumstances will appear to go against us. But we can seize all opportunities to develop our spiritual strength. We refuse to entertain negative thoughts and self-pity or be engaged in grumbling, murmuring and griping. Like Christ, we will seize the moment. So stay trusting, stay connected, stay committed to Christ and grow stronger in Him!