Identity in the wilderness
As we begin Lent, one episode in Jesus’ life was put in focus: His 40-day retreat in the wilderness. And within the 40 days of His stay in the desolate, isolated land, things did not become easy for Him.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell that Jesus was tempted while in the wilderness. Luke states that the Spirit led Jesus in isolation. And not just for a day but for forty days.
Jesus surely was stripped off of His comfort in that period. Did He only experience temptation?
The Scripture indicated that He encountered a myriad of human limitations: hunger, thirst, fatigue, isolation, maybe even bouts of despair and sorrow.
He experienced them full on while in an unforgiving and dry place.
But, before He was thrusted to the harsh desert, Jesus was seen coming out from the waters of the River Jordan. God’s Spirit descended from the heavens to rest on Him, while God’s voice declared Him as His beloved Son with Whom He is pleased. And the Spirit Who had dwelt on Him was the same Spirit Who brought Him to His wilderness.
Before Jesus encountered temptation and struggle, He was first acknowledged as God’s beloved Son.
And this is also a message for us: before we even encounter struggles and difficulties, we are first acknowledged as sons and daughters of the Father through Jesus Christ. Through Him we have the confidence to also be led by the Spirit of God in our own deserts, in our own temptations.
Further Scripture passages suggested that there were more deserts and wildernesses that Jesus went to throughout His ministry. Only difference was He was not being led by God’s Spirit anymore.
He Himself chose to withdraw to these places.
He may have been tempted again in those episodes of repeated retreats to lonely places. No one will really ever know.
But He so willingly chose to go back, because He already knows His identity. Because the enemy could not question Who He is anymore.
God has already acknowledged Him, and that was secure enough for Jesus to face the challenges and difficulties the wilderness offers.
And because we aim to be the imitation of Christ, we are reminded that we, like Jesus, have also been acknowledged by our Abba, our Father. We are also His sons and daughters, loved just as how He loves Jesus.
If we have been acknowledged and known, then we too can face our deserts with security and peace. We need not give in to our temptations. Our struggles will further enhance our faith rather than diminish it.
Because our identity rests in God.
We no longer are slaves to sin, because we have been renewed and transformed by the righteousness of Christ. So let the Spirit carry us to the wilderness, because with our identities firmly rooted in God’s heart, we will emerge victorious.
Shalom.
