Snapshots of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel (#2)

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

Mark 1:12-13

Another snapshot of Jesus is found in Mark 1:12-13. It is that of the temptation in the wilderness. Unlike the snapshot of His baptism which was a close up, this one is taken with a wide-angle lens. It is more like a landscape.  Every landscape can be photographed from a number of angles. Capturing the subject in its best light can be a balancing act. It does not center upon any one detail, but exposes details in harmony of the overall setting.

The setting is clear; it is the wilderness of Judea. The wilderness is the subject matter of the snapshot, as seen by the double reference (1:12-13). The wilderness of Judea is a high desert, mountainous terrain, with canyons, little or no water, and is an uninhabitable area. It reminds one of the Death Valley in California. It is a place of desolation. It extends from the beach of the Dead Sea to the edge of the central hill country. It was to this place that the Spirit drove Jesus  after His baptism. The details of where this place cannot be seen. Tradition says it was west of Jericho which is commonly call Mons Quarantania (meaning 40 days), but that is not commonly held and there have been other suggestions. The exact place is unknown. The Jews thought of the wilderness in terms of danger, gloom, and the abode of demons (cf. Matt. 12:43, Luke 8:29, 11:24). In this setting we see three things about this wilderness and Jesus:

IT IS A PLACE OF STRESS. This is clearly pictured by Mark, for Jesus was “tempted by Satan.” The Spirit did not lead Jesus into temptation, but into the wilderness. God does not tempt anyone (James 1:13). This snapshot does not give us the details of the temptation, but only the fact of the temptation. Jesus was there being tempted for “forty days,” and while many take this to be  symbolic, there is no reason to think it was not actually the time. The words, “tempted by Satan” is a present participle indicating that Jesus was repeatedly subjected to temptation. He was under intense pressure and pressure causes intense stress. This shows the intensity of the stress by indicating repeated temptations.

IT IS A PLACE OF DANGER. Mark notes that “He was with the wild beasts.” Only Mark reveals this fact. The place of danger causes fear. In the wilderness you have snakes, coyotes, mountain lions, scorpions, and wild hogs. “The sound of those animals piercing the darkness of the night is enough to stop the heart, chill the brain and turn the muscles into jelly.”[1]  This is the temptation to become fearful in the face of the environment. It is designed to paralyze us where we are, to let our circumstances overtake us, rather than us overtaking our circumstances.

IT IS A PLACE OF RELIEF. The wilderness can be a peaceful place in spite of the stress and danger. Mark reminds us that “the angels were ministering to Him.” Jesus was not alone. The word ministering is an imperfect tense, indicating action over a period of time. It was not just a short relief effort. It was an intense effect of sustenance and encouragement. Although their ministry here is unique, it reminds us that God is ready to give us relief in the wilderness of this world and its hostile environment.

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[1] Jerry Vines, EXPLORING THE GOSPELS: MARK, [Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune NJ, 1990], 17.