Verse of the Day 3/3
Mark 1:12-13 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. New King James Version (NKJV)
I've mentioned previously that our men's Bible study group is going through the book of Mark. As I read today's verses a few things came to mind and one word stood out to me. In the NKJV it says that the Spirit "drove" Jesus into the wilderness. Other translations say forced or compelled or even impelled. It wasn't as is Jesus was forced to go there against His will, but it was there to do, it was part of His mission. The Father, the Spirit and Jesus are all together in this and it was part of His mission. It was part of the plan and He could do no other.
The sense of "mission" can be seen throughout the Bible and Jesus here in Mark one will soon be calling His disciples. There's was a choice, but the choice was not a casual following, it was a call, a voice from the same person who called the earth into existence that would be calling them to follow. The same voice, the same power, the same will.
There are times in our lives when we pray for God's guidance. Are these prayers "missional" in our case? Are we truly seeking to follow Him? I read the following statement and have it pasted in my "eBible" for this verse. "As we pray, I cannot fathom what would happen if we approached God with the certainty that He loves us, and if we walked into mission with the conviction that we are a top priority to Him."
Does His word, His calling drive or compel you to follow Him? The events in our lives, the changes that take place, can be places and things that we have to go through as part of God's mission for us. As we go we can go in perseverance in hope, with faith and love.
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be Your name
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Mark 1:9-14 The Passion Translation (TPT)
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
9 One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth[a] and had John immerse him in the Jordan River. 10 The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon him.[b] 11 At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying:
"You are my Son, my cherished one,
and my greatest delight is in you!"[c]
12 Immediately after this he was compelled by the Holy Spirit[d] to go into an uninhabited desert region. 13 He remained there in the wilderness for forty days,[e] enduring the ordeals of Satan's tests. He encountered wild animals, but also angels who appeared and ministered to his needs.[f]
Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him
14 Later on, after John the Baptizer was arrested, Jesus went back into the region of Galilee and preached the wonderful gospel of God's kingdom realm.[g]
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