Pastor’s Column 3/2/2025

PASTOR’S COLUMN

19 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Matthew 4:1, NLT

“Facing the Necessary!”

This somewhat stark verse in the Gospel of Matthew, is one that many of us read, but hardly pause to consider its implications. Our faith instinctively causes us to expect God to lead us in places which are more safe than dangerous. David was fond of giving us picturesque venues where God directs us. The most quoted of these places is when He famously said of the Lord, “He leads me beside quiet waters.” (Ps. 23:4). Upon surveying his life, David also said, “O Lord you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.” (Psalm 116:5-6, NKJV). This strong optimism is not what we see in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is “led… in the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” What a foreboding place with desolate terrain and treacherous animals. Some seem to suggest that Jesus was propelled into a place with no food or water. This is true. Jesus took no provisions to stave off hunger or thirst with him. The Scripture further reveals that during this ordeal of some 40 days and nights, Jesus “fasted.” Wherever fasting occurs, prayer follows.  But there are two things to remember about this ordeal. First, Jesus was led, by the Spirit,” under assignment, “to be tempted by the devil.” God tested Jesus, so the devil and the world could witness the Son’s divinity, alongside the vulnerability of being fully human. This revealed the Lord’s faith and spiritual resilience. Then too, the Spirit led  Jesus on assignment after His Baptism. Jesus’ Baptism was not a symbol of repentance for the Lamb was without sin. Jesus’ Baptism was necessary, He said, “to fulfill all righteousness.” This was an example of the Lord’s death, burial and Resurrection. When we’re led by the Spirit into difficult places, we should rejoice.  Our assignment will bring glory to God! Our lives become transformed. The Spirit’s leading is not always pleasant but is necessary and redemptive!