Hostile Home Crowds
Going on the road against a great team and their rabid fans is one of the hardest ways to win in sports. Imagine taking the court against Duke. If the Coach K and the Blue Devils weren't difficult enough, you’ve got the Cameron Crazies to deal with.
Football fans don’t call LSU’s stadium Death Valley for nothing. Maybe they should call it Deaf Valley. Tiger fans are not only rowdy but, shall we say, “over served.” This joint is so loud that it’s hard to hear yourself think much less win.
And there’s what I think is the all-time worst hostile home crowd in sports history. Remember Rocky Balboa going on the road to Russia to face Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV”? Despite facing the ultimate home country advantage, the Italian Stallion not only knocks out Drago but communism too!
The Original Fast and Furious
As tough as these away games were, they’re nothing compared to Jesus’ throw down with the devil in the desert. Mark gives us a very brief but very descriptive account of our Savior’s temptation in the wilderness. And he does it just two verses. That’s right, two verses.
John Mark is the original Fast and Furious. He wastes no time getting right to the action his bio of Christ. Here’s a quick review of what’s already gone down here in chapter one. Buckle up. This one is zero-to-sixty in the blink of an eye.
After clearing the track of obstructions for the Gospel (Mk 1:1-3), then John the Baptizer has the honor of baptizing the only Person who doesn’t need to be baptized (Mk 1:4-9). Just as Jesus is coming up out of the water, the other Members of the Godhead can’t get there fast enough. The sky rips apart and the Spirit descends like a dove while the Father delivers a cosmic attaboy (Mk 1:10-11).
Mark’s Favorite Adverb
The Holy Spirit wastes no time getting to work in the life of the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. “The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness” (v12). The folks at the NLT translate Mark’s favorite adverb (Gr. ευθος/euthos) as “then.” What’s your favorite adverb? What? You don’t have one?
John Mark’s use of this fast-paced word is what puts his story of Jesus at full throttle. The author drops it more than forty times in his Gospel. Eleven of them are here in chapter one! See why I call ευθος/euthos his favorite adverb? That’s a little something that could come in handy during your next round of Mad Libs.
Jesus Hits the Road
Immediately after Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, the Spirit sends Him on the road. The Third Member of the Trinity “compelled” (v12) the Son of God to play an away game. This a whole lot stronger language than Matthew and Luke use when talking about Jesus’ Spirit-led guidance into the wilderness (Mt 4:1; Lk 4:1).
The original text uses the verb εκβαλλω/ekballo, which can mean in a negative sense to force out, expel, or drive out. Such as when Jesus tosses out demons who terrorize people (Mk 1:34).
But it can also have a positive meaning, such as causing to go or sending away with a purpose. In Matthew, Christ tells His followers to pray “to the Lord of the harvest; ask Him to send (Gr. εκβαλλω/ekballo) more workers into the fields” (Mt 9:38). Let’s face it, we can ALWAYS use more hands working in the field!
Christ’s Season Opener
Mark’s point is that the Holy Spirit makes sure Jesus heads out on His first assignment. He’s on His way to His very first encounter of His three-and-a-half year ministry. It’s at the top of His messianic to-do list right after His baptism. The Lord has divine appointment…in the wilderness.
What can you and I take from the Spirit’s very first work in Jesus’ career? We must realize that God’s Spirit is not looking to lead us into the lap of luxury. Sometimes He sends us right INTO the fire! Don’t forget that God isn’t out to make us happy but holy.
Ever have that overriding urge to get involved in a cause or project that seems overwhelming or impossible? Could it be the Holy Spirit compelling you to leave home and play a tough road game? If Almighty God is calling us to do so, why are we continuing to schedule cupcakes at home?
The Lonely Place
So the opener on our Savior’s schedule is in the “wilderness” (v12). Talk about a tough way to start the season! A closer look at the original language tells just how tough it is. The Greek word translated “wilderness” (Gr. ερημος/eremos) literally means “the lonely place.”
Mark uses this word twice in these two verses. He’s making a point that Jesus is seriously off the grid. He’s out past the paved roads. There’s absolutely no cell service…even if cell phones had been invented. Bear Gryll’s territory.
It’s a big difference from the big crowds and long lines along the Jordan River where John the Baptizer was doing his thing. This place is totally abandoned. Desolate. Lonely. Not another human being. That’s why Mark calls it the lonely place.
Bookends of Loneliness
Loneliness bookends Jesus’ earthly ministry. First here in the wilderness. Later on the cross (Mk 15:34). Ever been completely abandoned? Maybe it was your spouse, your parents, your family, or your closest friends. Christ knows exactly what you feel.
Our Savior knew the ultimate loneliness so that by trusting in Him we would never have to. He went to the lonely place so that we don’t have to. This is one road game where there were absolutely not another person in the stands cheering for Him.
Getting Hangry
Mark describes how Jesus “was tempted by Satan for forty days” (13). Well, I know we’ve all had some bad days. But a personal assault by the personification of evil in the loneliest place imaginable for forty long days? It’s hard to wrap my brain around that.
Throw in the fact that both Matthew and Luke tell us Christ had ate nothing the entire time. Forget hungry. I would have been seriously hangry. That’s when you’re so hungry that you’re angry. It’s the perfect storm. Loneliness. Temptation. Satan. Forty days.
A Forty Day Slugfest
In two short verses, we read how the devil throws everything at Jesus. The enemy tries every trick in his demonic bag. The other Gospel writers tell us how Satan dangles physical hunger (Mt 4:3; Lk 4:3), threat of physical injury (Mt 4:5-6; Lk 4:9-11), and unlimited power (Mt 4:8-9; Lk 4:5-7). Each time, the Son of God uses the Word of God to counterattack.
But notice a not-so-subtle difference in Mark’s account from the other versions. Christ “was tempted for forty days” (13). While there was some sort of showdown at the very end, this temptation goes on for almost six weeks! Forget Rocky and Drago going fifteen rounds. This relentless slugfest goes forty days.
Surrounded by Killer Critters
It’s important to point out that Jesus and Satan weren’t totally alone. They weren’t duking it out in front of empty stands. Once again, Mark gives us a little tidbit we don’t get anywhere else. “He was out among the wild animals” (v13).
Clearly the devil isn’t the only danger in the desert! The writer describes these animals with a Greek word (Gr. θεριον/therion) meaning savage, brutal, and ferocious. This place is crawling with wolves, boars, hyenas, jackals, leopards, and snakes.
The wilderness reminds the best of us that we’re not at the top of food chain. Think the Cameron Crazies make playing the Blue Devils difficult? Try facing the REAL devil while dealing while surrounded by a crowd of truly killer critters at the same time! Taking the loss means you’re somebody’s lunch.
God’s Angel Army
While Jesus had no visible fans in the stands, that did NOT mean He was flying solo. Mark tells us that “angels took care of Him” (v13). The Father dispatches a battalion of His angel army to come alongside His one and only Son.
This sure seems to be a fulfillment of a prediction contained in the lyrics of the 91st Psalm. “For He will order His angels to protect you whenever you go. They will hold you up in their hands so that you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!” (Ps 91:11-12).
If you’ve placed your trust in Christ, you have angelic support even when you don’t realize it. Just because we don’t see them, it doesn’t mean they’re not there. What we can’t see, certainly can protect us.
A Clear and Present Danger
Here are a few incredibly important points for us from this duel in the desert. First and foremost, we have an enemy. The devil is a clear and present danger to every follower of Jesus. We can be sure that Christ has defeated Satan. But that doesn’t mean he can’t and won’t cause us problems.
Second, temptation is NOT a sin! Giving into it is. We might not like it but there are times when God allows the devil to use us for target practice. Just ask Job (Job 1:12; 2:6) and Peter (Lk 22:31-32). That’s why Jesus says we should strongly consider asking God to keep temptation us away from temptation a big part of our prayer life (Mt 6:13; Lk 11:4).
Our High Priest
Third, we’re going to fail at some point. While God gives us His Spirit in order to stand up under temptation, we’ll never bat 1.000 on this side of eternity. That’s why we desperately needed Jesus to leave the comforts of heaven and come as our ultimate High Priest.
Here’s how the writer of Hebrews describes it. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He face all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Heb 4:15-16).
Opening on the Road
Jesus didn’t have to open with a road game. He didn’t have to play before a hostile crowd. He could have started with an easy opponent as a heavy favorite. But that’s not how Christ rolls.
In the moments after His baptism, the Lord walks straight into the wilderness and stares down Satan. And because He did, we have a Savior who can and will help us in our time of need. That includes the toughest, nastiest road games.
Going on the road against a great team and their rabid fans is one of the hardest ways to win in sports. Imagine taking the court against Duke. If the Coach K and the Blue Devils weren't difficult enough, you’ve got the Cameron Crazies to deal with.
Football fans don’t call LSU’s stadium Death Valley for nothing. Maybe they should call it Deaf Valley. Tiger fans are not only rowdy but, shall we say, “over served.” This joint is so loud that it’s hard to hear yourself think much less win.
And there’s what I think is the all-time worst hostile home crowd in sports history. Remember Rocky Balboa going on the road to Russia to face Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV”? Despite facing the ultimate home country advantage, the Italian Stallion not only knocks out Drago but communism too!
The Original Fast and Furious
As tough as these away games were, they’re nothing compared to Jesus’ throw down with the devil in the desert. Mark gives us a very brief but very descriptive account of our Savior’s temptation in the wilderness. And he does it just two verses. That’s right, two verses.
John Mark is the original Fast and Furious. He wastes no time getting right to the action his bio of Christ. Here’s a quick review of what’s already gone down here in chapter one. Buckle up. This one is zero-to-sixty in the blink of an eye.
After clearing the track of obstructions for the Gospel (Mk 1:1-3), then John the Baptizer has the honor of baptizing the only Person who doesn’t need to be baptized (Mk 1:4-9). Just as Jesus is coming up out of the water, the other Members of the Godhead can’t get there fast enough. The sky rips apart and the Spirit descends like a dove while the Father delivers a cosmic attaboy (Mk 1:10-11).
Mark’s Favorite Adverb
The Holy Spirit wastes no time getting to work in the life of the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. “The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness” (v12). The folks at the NLT translate Mark’s favorite adverb (Gr. ευθος/euthos) as “then.” What’s your favorite adverb? What? You don’t have one?
John Mark’s use of this fast-paced word is what puts his story of Jesus at full throttle. The author drops it more than forty times in his Gospel. Eleven of them are here in chapter one! See why I call ευθος/euthos his favorite adverb? That’s a little something that could come in handy during your next round of Mad Libs.
Jesus Hits the Road
Immediately after Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, the Spirit sends Him on the road. The Third Member of the Trinity “compelled” (v12) the Son of God to play an away game. This a whole lot stronger language than Matthew and Luke use when talking about Jesus’ Spirit-led guidance into the wilderness (Mt 4:1; Lk 4:1).
The original text uses the verb εκβαλλω/ekballo, which can mean in a negative sense to force out, expel, or drive out. Such as when Jesus tosses out demons who terrorize people (Mk 1:34).
But it can also have a positive meaning, such as causing to go or sending away with a purpose. In Matthew, Christ tells His followers to pray “to the Lord of the harvest; ask Him to send (Gr. εκβαλλω/ekballo) more workers into the fields” (Mt 9:38). Let’s face it, we can ALWAYS use more hands working in the field!
Christ’s Season Opener
Mark’s point is that the Holy Spirit makes sure Jesus heads out on His first assignment. He’s on His way to His very first encounter of His three-and-a-half year ministry. It’s at the top of His messianic to-do list right after His baptism. The Lord has divine appointment…in the wilderness.
What can you and I take from the Spirit’s very first work in Jesus’ career? We must realize that God’s Spirit is not looking to lead us into the lap of luxury. Sometimes He sends us right INTO the fire! Don’t forget that God isn’t out to make us happy but holy.
Ever have that overriding urge to get involved in a cause or project that seems overwhelming or impossible? Could it be the Holy Spirit compelling you to leave home and play a tough road game? If Almighty God is calling us to do so, why are we continuing to schedule cupcakes at home?
The Lonely Place
So the opener on our Savior’s schedule is in the “wilderness” (v12). Talk about a tough way to start the season! A closer look at the original language tells just how tough it is. The Greek word translated “wilderness” (Gr. ερημος/eremos) literally means “the lonely place.”
Mark uses this word twice in these two verses. He’s making a point that Jesus is seriously off the grid. He’s out past the paved roads. There’s absolutely no cell service…even if cell phones had been invented. Bear Gryll’s territory.
It’s a big difference from the big crowds and long lines along the Jordan River where John the Baptizer was doing his thing. This place is totally abandoned. Desolate. Lonely. Not another human being. That’s why Mark calls it the lonely place.
Bookends of Loneliness
Loneliness bookends Jesus’ earthly ministry. First here in the wilderness. Later on the cross (Mk 15:34). Ever been completely abandoned? Maybe it was your spouse, your parents, your family, or your closest friends. Christ knows exactly what you feel.
Our Savior knew the ultimate loneliness so that by trusting in Him we would never have to. He went to the lonely place so that we don’t have to. This is one road game where there were absolutely not another person in the stands cheering for Him.
Getting Hangry
Mark describes how Jesus “was tempted by Satan for forty days” (13). Well, I know we’ve all had some bad days. But a personal assault by the personification of evil in the loneliest place imaginable for forty long days? It’s hard to wrap my brain around that.
Throw in the fact that both Matthew and Luke tell us Christ had ate nothing the entire time. Forget hungry. I would have been seriously hangry. That’s when you’re so hungry that you’re angry. It’s the perfect storm. Loneliness. Temptation. Satan. Forty days.
A Forty Day Slugfest
In two short verses, we read how the devil throws everything at Jesus. The enemy tries every trick in his demonic bag. The other Gospel writers tell us how Satan dangles physical hunger (Mt 4:3; Lk 4:3), threat of physical injury (Mt 4:5-6; Lk 4:9-11), and unlimited power (Mt 4:8-9; Lk 4:5-7). Each time, the Son of God uses the Word of God to counterattack.
But notice a not-so-subtle difference in Mark’s account from the other versions. Christ “was tempted for forty days” (13). While there was some sort of showdown at the very end, this temptation goes on for almost six weeks! Forget Rocky and Drago going fifteen rounds. This relentless slugfest goes forty days.
Surrounded by Killer Critters
It’s important to point out that Jesus and Satan weren’t totally alone. They weren’t duking it out in front of empty stands. Once again, Mark gives us a little tidbit we don’t get anywhere else. “He was out among the wild animals” (v13).
Clearly the devil isn’t the only danger in the desert! The writer describes these animals with a Greek word (Gr. θεριον/therion) meaning savage, brutal, and ferocious. This place is crawling with wolves, boars, hyenas, jackals, leopards, and snakes.
The wilderness reminds the best of us that we’re not at the top of food chain. Think the Cameron Crazies make playing the Blue Devils difficult? Try facing the REAL devil while dealing while surrounded by a crowd of truly killer critters at the same time! Taking the loss means you’re somebody’s lunch.
God’s Angel Army
While Jesus had no visible fans in the stands, that did NOT mean He was flying solo. Mark tells us that “angels took care of Him” (v13). The Father dispatches a battalion of His angel army to come alongside His one and only Son.
This sure seems to be a fulfillment of a prediction contained in the lyrics of the 91st Psalm. “For He will order His angels to protect you whenever you go. They will hold you up in their hands so that you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!” (Ps 91:11-12).
If you’ve placed your trust in Christ, you have angelic support even when you don’t realize it. Just because we don’t see them, it doesn’t mean they’re not there. What we can’t see, certainly can protect us.
A Clear and Present Danger
Here are a few incredibly important points for us from this duel in the desert. First and foremost, we have an enemy. The devil is a clear and present danger to every follower of Jesus. We can be sure that Christ has defeated Satan. But that doesn’t mean he can’t and won’t cause us problems.
Second, temptation is NOT a sin! Giving into it is. We might not like it but there are times when God allows the devil to use us for target practice. Just ask Job (Job 1:12; 2:6) and Peter (Lk 22:31-32). That’s why Jesus says we should strongly consider asking God to keep temptation us away from temptation a big part of our prayer life (Mt 6:13; Lk 11:4).
Our High Priest
Third, we’re going to fail at some point. While God gives us His Spirit in order to stand up under temptation, we’ll never bat 1.000 on this side of eternity. That’s why we desperately needed Jesus to leave the comforts of heaven and come as our ultimate High Priest.
Here’s how the writer of Hebrews describes it. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He face all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Heb 4:15-16).
Opening on the Road
Jesus didn’t have to open with a road game. He didn’t have to play before a hostile crowd. He could have started with an easy opponent as a heavy favorite. But that’s not how Christ rolls.
In the moments after His baptism, the Lord walks straight into the wilderness and stares down Satan. And because He did, we have a Savior who can and will help us in our time of need. That includes the toughest, nastiest road games.
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