Highs and lows

"Jesus...was baptized by John...And the Spirit descend(ed) upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'

Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan." Mark 1.9-12

The Bible is the Living Word of God. Ask any Christian that. This means that it breathes into us new life with new understanding with every evolution in our relationship with God. Though I have read the Gospel of Mark before, the Bible is not to be read intellectually. And it was the Spirit's will that I grasped a crucial teaching that was given to me to strengthen me, which I now pass on to you. To note, other gospels in the Bible give detailed accounts of what happened in the wilderness. 

Jesus' baptism was one of the most pivotal events in his brief life. In the account written by Mark, we see that it is at this beautiful moment where the fullness of God's grace is bestowed upon him. We see that Jesus truly is the Son of God, that he is the greatest of all men...and then his life takes an unbelievable turn.

IMMEDIATELY he is led into the desert where he is starved and tormented by Satan himself - the most vicious, jealous, spiteful (and stupid) being on this earth. So how did the narrative change from Jesus being utterly blessed to being so cruelly cursed? Maybe his hardship wasn't really what it appeared to be from the outside looking in.

How often have I risen only to fall one day or one week later. How can a person not feel picked on by this world when moments of relief are perpetually superseded by dejection? But my heart was open to receiving the word "immediately" yesterday, and I have been steadily meditating on it. Surely there is something important in identifying with the glory and adversity that Christ experienced within one single day.

"My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11.30

Yoke means to join together, Biblically speaking, it was when work animals, like oxen which work naturally in pairs, were joined together by a device around their neck that made their work more efficient, because they could carry heavier loads. But as with all examples, Jesus who is not of this world spoke of things not of this world. He was referring to being joined together with God. Those on the spiritual path know "Of myself I am nothing, the Lord does the work" (John 14.10). We simply do not have sufficient strength to manage in the wilderness on our own resources.

Apostle Paul wrote about this time in the "desert", and he learned to accept it as God's will, not because he believed that he was evil and deserved to be punished, no just the opposite: Paul knew that he was God's greatest soldier, and that he was being strengthened during his time in the wilderness, which for him was a jail cell.

"Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

I will continue in my time of prayer and reflection on the highs and lows on this Hero's Journey, and I hope to chronicle and relate back with my progress, ever hoping to inspire all who travel to the apex of peace and comfort. Blessings, gentle reader.