Scripture:

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;[a] with you I am well pleased.’
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. (Mark 1.9-13)

Reflection

Jesus is in the wilderness where he encounters Satan, wild animals and angels, and he emerges stronger, focused and holy. It is heartening to know that the wilderness contains angels - angels who waited on Jesus. In our own wilderness it is also heartening to know that ‘angels’ are looking out for us - the positives and gifts that occur amid the desolation, the people who are there for us, who have our back - who we mostly do not recognise until after the event!

God may also use us as angels - a loving word or action can make a significant difference to someone in the wilderness, enabling them to catch hold of hope and be strengthened.

Though we may not be able to avoid wilderness experiences in our lives, we can prepare for them, we can survive them and we can emerge stronger by having faith in Jesus and being open to the possibilty that we may well be entertaining angels unawares.

Lyn Hayes, ALM