Mark 1:9-13: a reflection

9In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 12Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus is baptized, and as he comes up from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends on him like a dove, and the Father's voice declares: You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately, the very next thing, the Spirit drives him into the wilderness to be tempted for forty days. Before any of his public ministry, before any of his mighty works, the Father speaks his love and pleasure over him; and it is with that affirmation ringing in his ears that Jesus goes into the testing.

Notice the order here. The Father declares his love and pleasure over Jesus before Jesus has done any public ministry, before any achievements; the affirmation is not earned by works, but spoken over the beloved Son as who he is. And this affirmation comes just before the wilderness testing; Jesus faces the temptation secure in the Father's love, already declared over him. The knowledge of the Father's love was the ground on which he stood as he entered the trial.

That order matters for us too. In Christ, we are made God's beloved children, and God's love for us is not earned by our achievements, but given to us as his own; we are beloved before we have done anything to deserve it. And it is out of that security, the knowledge that we are loved by God, that we are able to face our own wildernesses and testings. Do not think you must earn God's love by your works, or that his love depends on your performance; in Christ, you are his beloved child. And when you face testing and trial, face it secure in the Father's love, already spoken over you, as Jesus did. Let the knowledge that you are beloved be the ground on which you stand in the wilderness.

Lord, at his baptism, before any public ministry or mighty works, the Father declared over Jesus, you are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; and immediately the Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tested. He faced the testing secure in the Father's love, already spoken over him. Let that order shape me. In Christ, I am made your beloved child, and your love for me is not earned by my achievements, but given to me as your own; I am beloved before I have done anything to deserve it. Keep me from thinking I must earn your love by my works, or that your love depends on my performance. And when I face testing and trial, help me face it secure in your love, already spoken over me, as Jesus did. Let the knowledge that I am your beloved child be the ground on which I stand in my own wildernesses. Thank you that in Christ I am beloved; help me rest in your love as I face whatever comes.