A Driven Man
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:12
The Spirit immediately drove [Jesus] out into the wilderness…
Mark likes to use the word “immediately.” His book is fast-paced. There is always a sense of urgency in how he portrays Jesus' life and ministry. Mark also uses the word “drove” to describe the Holy Spirit’s role in Christ’s journey into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil.
Matthew and Luke also write about Jesus’ wilderness temptations. Their language is softer than Mark’s. They say Jesus was “led up” and “led by the Spirit.” How are we to take Mark’s description? We can be certain that he isn’t implying that Jesus was forced to go as if He were resisting the Spirit’s leading. His arm wasn’t twisted. As the Scripture says, “When Christ came into the world He said, ‘I come to do thy will, O God.”
The temptation in the wilderness began immediately after the baptism of Jesus and the descent of the Spirit upon Him. What Mark is conveying is that Jesus was, from that moment forward, on a mission to fulfill every requirement of His Messianic duty. He is doing this because He must. If perchance a kindly person were to see Him as He headed out and say, “Why not come and stay with me a while? I will prepare you a meal and give you a room in which to rest.” Jesus would answer, “I must be about My Father’s business.” He was, to use Mark’s word, a driven Man.
Pray that we would have the kind of clarity of mission and drivenness to do God’s will that our Lord had.
Amen!