Network Discipling Ministries

GOD’S SECRET PLACE

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil – Matthew 4:1 Read First: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12, 13; Luke 4:1-13 Immediately following His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. This encounter has always been an item of concern, or confusion, for many believers. Why would the Holy Spirit push Jesus to do such a thing? While it is totally impossible for anyone to probe the depths of the divine mind, there are two very important concepts embedded in our salvation history that can provide us with some reliable insight into this apparent divine mystery.

Firstly, just as the father of all humanity, Adam, was tested by the devil in the Garden of Eden, so Christ had to be tested before He could become the father—second Adam if you please—of God’s new humanity. Just as Adam, through his disgrace in Eden, became the father of corruptible seed; Christ had to past the acid test to become the father of incorruptible seed. Consequently, through this torturing experience, the Savior was going to show all God’s children the way forward.

Secondly, the wilderness is God’s secret place, appointed by Him for the spiritual discipline and development of all his children. It is from His wilderness outpost—whether literal or experiential—He sends forth His prophets and messengers to bear testimony of His saving grace and sovereign will to His children, and also the sons of men. It is there He strips men of all their earthly crutches and supports; teaches them to lean solely on Him, so that, henceforth, they would live only by every word that proceeds from His mouth. In the midst of his wilderness, the believer often encounters the wilderness’ God and finds his oasis of hope, redemption and spiritual empowerment in learning to trust and obey Him.

Our Lord did precisely the opposite to the first Adam in His response to all the temptations of the devil. While the tempter succeeded in getting our first parents to rely solely upon their wisdom in meeting his attacks; such attempts completely failed when He approached the Savior. Instead of leaning upon His own wisdom to ward off the enemy’s attacks, Christ defeated the devil through His utter reliance upon the Word of God. “It is written” was His only line of offense and defense against Satan—one worthy of emulation by all God’s children. By precept and example, the Savior lived by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. So should we.

Finally, it is very important to remember that it is only he who learns to abide in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the protective wings of the Almighty, and will score consistent victories over all the temptations and attacks of the evil one. May His Spirit led you to your wilderness secret place.