Welcome to Day 19 of Journey to the Cross, a forty-day devotional preparing for Easter. Yesterday we looked at Jesus’s baptism in the Jordan River. Today we pick up in Mark right after His baptism.

Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.

Mark 1:12-13

Several tourist destinations have T-shirts that say something like, “I survived the [whatever attraction] at [whatever location].” Others just have a slogan or their name on them. Sometimes just seeing someone wearing one of these T-shirts initiates or changes a conversation. If you have both been to that place, you may find yourself sharing common experiences with the other person. Or if it is a place that they haven’t visited or you haven’t visited, it may lead to learning about a place that the other has not visited.

Just after Jesus’s baptism, He went into the desert and was tempted by Satan. For forty days, Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations. Matthew’s Gospel goes into more detail. After saying that Jesus was hungry after forty days and nights of fasting, Satan came trying to get Jesus to turn stones to bread. Twice more specific temptations are hurled His way. Each time Jesus refutes Satan’s temptations with Scripture. He never gave into those temptations but returned from the desert victorious.

Sometimes we feel like we are alone, wandering in deserted places of life. Satan’s temptations and accusations are hurled our way. But even in the desolate places, God is with us. As believers, we are never alone, for the Spirit of God dwells with us. When Satan tempts you, you can trust that Jesus has been there before. When tempted, He remained faithful. God now counts Jesus’s obedience as your obedience. Your Savior will protect you in that place and bring you through it safely to the other side. You need only ask.

Today as you pray, say something like: “Lord Jesus, You remained faithful when You were tempted. Be with me as I am tempted and give me Your strength to resist the evil one by the power of Your Spirit.”

Thank you for joining me for Day 19. Tomorrow we will talk about the borderless love of Jesus. Come back then for Day 20.