Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness Luke 4:1 WEB

Before the ministry of Jesus Christ began, John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of the lower Jordan Valley. His message was repentance from sin in preparation for the judgment of God and the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. John’s ministry fulfilled scripture from the Books of Malachi and Isaiah. Led by the Spirit of God, John clearly states his purpose in John, 1:23 saying, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said. WEB”

John’s revelation of his fulfillment of prophecy recorded in the Book of John is a reference to Isaiah 40:3. Further, John fulfilled prophecy from Malachi 3:1 which reads, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. KJV”

The Lamb of God

After John prepared the way for the Lord, Jesus came to him. As the Lord approached, John acknowledged Jesus’ purpose before his own disciples. John 1:29 records his words as he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! WEB” It was in the Jordan River that John baptized Jesus in water. After baptizing Jesus, John saw the Spirit of God descend upon Christ like a dove. Matthew 3:13-17  records this event. 

Following this, Jesus left the Jordan River. Led by the Spirit, he entered into the wilderness to fast for forty days. There, Satan tempted the Lord after his fast. Each time Satan tempted Jesus, our Lord and Savior answered his adversary with the word of God. Proving himself invulnerable to the temptations, the devil left Jesus alone there. Luke does not record what happened in the wilderness after that. However, scripture records in Matthew 4:11 that, “angels came and served him. WEB”

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Narrow Gate