Baptism and Temptation

Mark 1:1-13 (New Living Translation)

1This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began2just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

and he will prepare your way.

3He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!

Clear the road for him!’”

4This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

7John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

9One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

12The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

What are your most difficult temptations ? Compare them to Jesus' temptations

To identify fully with human beings, Jesus had to endure Satan's temptations. Although Jesus is God, He is also man, and as a human being He was not exempt from Satan's attacks. Because Jesus faced temptations and overcame them, He can assist us in two important ways. (1) as an example of how to face temptations without sinning and (2) as our helper who knows just what we need because He went through the same experience. When you face temptation, trust Jesus to help you overcome it.