“Assurance through the wilderness” (Mark 1:9-15)

Mark 1:9-15

Listen to Sermon

Pastor Tom Johnson, February 18, 2018

Today Jesus goes out into the wilderness. He is tempted by the accuser. He life is exposed to wild predators. He suffers hunger and thirst. He spends forty days in the wild reminding us of the forty years of wilderness wandering of Israel. So, Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness is a snapshot of his whole life and ministry in the wilderness of this world. We see how Jesus is tempted in every way, yet without sin. We see his divine nature. God sends him into the wilderness with the words, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

We also see the mystery of his human nature. He is tempted. Jesus is attacked by Satan with all his baseless and twisted accusations. Jesus thirsts. He hungers. He experiences weakness in physical body. He suffers emotional exhaustion. And here is the truly baffling and comforting truth about Jesus and his humanity. God sends him out into the wilderness with the assurance that he is God’s beloved Son at his Baptism. And God sends angels to comfort him. We do not even know what the angels did or even said. And yet the angels bring Jesus comfort, assurance, strength, and companionship. Maybe their presence alone was enough to encourage and sustain Jesus.

If Jesus was strengthened and sustained from keeping in mind who he is—especially who he is in the eyes of his Heavenly Father—if Jesus was strengthened and sustained from those creatures sent from heaven, then we should take note. We ought to remember who we are in God’s sight. We should welcome angels God sends our way. If perfect Jesus was encouraged and comforted then how much more do we—sinful creatures—need that same strength and companionship. Jesus needed encouragement. God sends him out of the baptismal waters with this assurance: “You are my Son, the Beloved. You bring me extraordinary pleasure.” Jesus needed comfort. So God sends the angels.

In our time in the wilderness of this world, there will be times of physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. But we are not like Jesus. When we are tempted, we are not perfect. We fall into temptation. We hear the voice of the accuser: “You’re no good. You’re a sinner. You hunger and thirst but will never be satisfied. God’s plan won’t ever work. You need to fend for yourself. God has forgotten you. He does not care. You are alone.” There may some truth to the voice of the accuser. We are prone to wander. We do harmful things to others and ourselves. We neglect the care of others. We fail to live in a way that really nurtures others and our own souls. We do not love God above all things. We are the ones who forget God—not the other way around.

But thanks be to God that just as God sends Jesus out into the wilderness well-equipped, so God sends us out into the world.  We too are the baptized. God has said of us. “Your sins are washed away. You are forgiven. You are my daughter. You are my son. You are my beloved child. Your uniqueness and soul bring me extraordinary pleasure.” We are the baptized. We remember not just the event of our baptism that happened months, years, or even decades ago. We bring to mind who we truly are. In God’s eyes, we are his deeply loved children. God also sends us his angels—his messengers of grace, hope, and companionship. God sends us into each other lives to provide strength and encouragement. Can you name the angels around you? If you prayerfully look and listen, I bet you will find even more than you imagine. Perhaps God is calling you to be an angel in another person’s wilderness. Maybe you will not say or do anything spectacular. But your presence and companionship may be exactly what that person needs.

View of Badwater Basin

This got me thinking about what is coming up in July: the Badwater Ultramarthon. It’s 135 miles through the Badwater Basin, Death Valley, through the lowest elevation in North America to the trailhead of Mt Whitney, one of the highest. The course is so hot at times, they run on the white stripes on the roads so the blacktop will not melt their shoes. They are all dressed in white to protect them from the oppressive sun. Each year there are less than 100 people from around the world who have the courage—or foolishness—to run such a race. But here is the sobering truth. No one can do it alone. Each runner has a team that drives a van or SUV in front of them. They constantly spray the runner down with water, give them food and drink, and cheer them on. Without such support, their spirits would soon be crushed, they would quickly overheat, and come to utter ruin.

So God sends us out soaked with his grace and forgiveness. We are the Baptized all dressed in Christ’s righteousness. We are his beloved children. He is well pleased with us. So God sends angels. He sends us into each other’s wilderness to cheer, encourage, sustain, and strengthen one another. We are the baptized—drenching wet from the font of God’s grace even though we journey through a dry and parched land. He will bring us safely through this wilderness to the glory of the world to come.