Why the Spirit drove Jesus into the Wilderness/Desert?

Gospel Thoughts*

*First Week : Lent: Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:12-15*

*First Reading - Gn 9:8-15*

*Second Reading : 1 Pt 3:18-22*

*Why the Spirit drove Jesus into the Wilderness/Desert?*

*1) First of all to Pray*

In the life of Jesus, desert has a special place. It has special reference to the aspect of prayer 

*And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed.* Mark 1:35

*But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed* Luke 5:16 

Jesus also called His disciples to come to a deserted place *

*And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while* Mark 6:31.  

So it is clear that deserted place has a special significance to prayer. 

*2) Secondly to face the temptations of the Satan*

The Gospel clearly says that Satan with all its creativity was trying to tempt Jesus 

So for 40 days and 40 nights as Jesus prayed, Satan was continuously tempting Jesus through various ways. 

So wilderness became a place of facing terrible temptations as Jesus was praying intently

*3) Thirdly there were also beasts and wild animals in the wilderness*

Beasts and wild animals are the dangerous animals 

One can't play with the animals. One has to be very careful about them 

So wilderness shown along with the wild animals and beasts show us the gravity of the situation 

The temptations of the Satan's are like wild animals. They are dangerous and fatal. If one is not careful the there will be greater calamity in life 

*4) The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to give the foretaste of Cross and His mission*

The wilderness experience is like a Cross experience. 

In a way it was a foretaste of Jesus' mission in the later days 

The Challenges that Jesus had to face in the wilderness will be similar and greater in His public ministry and also towards the end of His mission 

He will have to continue His mission among the wild animals and beasts (Pilot, Herod, Jewish officials etc)

So it gives us a foretaste of His mission, passion and death.

*5) Christian life is similar to desert experience*

Christian life is not a easy way of life. It is very challenging and demanding 

If Jesus had to go through this way, it is equally important that we also should go through this way of life 

God has not created us for a easy way of life but He has created us to face great challenges and win oven this world through the way of the Cross.

So Christian life involves terrible temptations of the Satan, life in the midst of wild animals and beasts (evil things, wordly things, pleasure, people those who are doing lots of evil things, persecutions, hurdles to live and spread our faith)

So Christian and Christian faith today is just like Jesus in the midst of wild animals, beasts and Satan the tempter 

*6) Jesus was driven by the Spirit after the Baptism*

This baptism is very important in the life of Jesus and for us to 

Baptism strengthened the relationship of the Father and Son 

It really manifested the identity of Jesus 

More over the Spirit came and dwelt in Jesus. 

So Jesus was full of power. This power and spirit is very important to face the wilderness. 

So after having received the power of the Spirit Jesus goes into the wilderness to face the challenges. 

So sufficient preparation is made to face the challenges

*7) Our Baptism and our life*

We too receive the baptism before the enter into the Wilderness. 

This baptism is the real strength for us to face the trails and temptations in the wilderness

So we are sufficiently given the spirit in the Baptism to face the challenges of the wilderness.

So God does not send us without giving us the proper measures to face the challenges the wilderness of our life

*8) The Angels in the Wilderness*

In the midst of wilderness *the angels ministered to him.*

The presence of Angels shows us the providence of God in the wilderness experience. 

God does not abandoned His children, especially at the time of wilderness experience. 

God intervenes in our life through His angels and protects us from all harm 

*9) Wilderness challenges and the power of prayer*

First of all there were many challenges and temptations in the wilderness. 

Situation was very dangerous in the wilderness. 

The only thing that saved Jesus was Prayer and Fasting 

These two powerful spiritual tools made Him to win  all the challenges of the Satan 

Prayer can win anything  in any situation. 

*10) Wilderness a place of Prayer also equally powerful to encounter powerful temptations*

Wilderness a place of prayer which Jesus wanted to experience, becomes a more powerful place of temptations and challenges

Where ever there is genuine holiness, Satan also becomes more active and creative 

So during this 40 days of wilderness - Lent - Satan and its temptations will become more powerful to take away from the grace of God. 

Be careful about this traitor and cheater 

May you have a wonderful wilderness experience during this lent.

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*