Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 1:13 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.

Jesus took on human-ness. He was weakened by fasting in the desert. This was not the Las Vegas desert; this was a real desert, called a “wilderness” by first-century standards. Note the companions of Jesus: the wild animals.

We aren’t given much detail here as to the nature of the wild animals. Did they recognize Jesus as the Son of God? Did the wild animals recognize the angels with Jesus? How did the wild animals treat Jesus?

Seen any of those “alone in the wilderness” reality shows lately. People who are hungry and tired frighten easily at the smallest sound of a “wild animal.” I believe this verse tells us that Jesus endured the almost unendurable conditions.

He endured this for me. That is yet another sobering thought in a large text full of sobering thoughts. How much would I endure for folks who lived contrary to everything I held and said? Not much, I am afraid. It is with verses as this that I have to admit that I am happy that I am not God. Now, if I could just remember that thought the rest of the time.