How Does Jesus Lead Into The Wilderness

“If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 NKJV.

Jesus tells the crowd that just as bread was supplied for the people then, the Father is supplying bread for them right now. It is interesting that the people ask for that bread and they ask that it be supplied forever. Jesus’ answer tells them that they can have the bread and without them having to ask, it will be supplied for eternity. He says: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” God has sent Jesus to fulfill the spiritual hunger of the people.

Society neglects the ability for humans to see actual truths and purpose in their lives, which makes it easy for them to think about themselves and only want to fulfill their own personal desires. These personal desires are contrary to the teachings of Jesus, which includes loving your neighbor, compassion for others, and the desire to serve. Humans in the words of Pedro Arrupe must, “live not for themselves but for God and his Christ Following the teachings of Jesus” (Arrupe 1). Doing this makes one

Amazingly, the Word of God pronounces what an incredible thing Jesus did, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Christ was willing to sacrifice His life in heaven and come to the darkness of earth and walk with sinful creatures. Humbly, Jesus comforted others and illustrated compassion for the worst sinners. As declared in the Bible, “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matthew 4:23). Christ’s cause exceeded His comfort zone, and He taught and healed sinners.

Jer 17:10 (KJV) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

human body was fallible. He tried to prolong his life with an awareness into his diet,

The Bible also says, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up,” and, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Eventually, he undergoes a breakthrough which reveals a more authentic version of himself. This theme relates to 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

American society produces new temptations every day and it is easy to fall into what could be harmful to a relationship with God. It becomes difficult to live a Christian life when the culture in which one lives is full of needs, desires, and ideas that are so contrary to what the Bible teaches. During the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he also went through a few temptations at the hand of the devil. He endured these temptations and persevered righteously in spite of them. A few lessons can be learned by how Jesus handled these temptations.

What he went through benefited a lot of people. Way before the crucifixion—the supreme example of Jesus caring for others—he was known for constantly showing kindness. For example, when a lot of people had been with him for several days, Jesus cared for them. He knew they were hungry, and that if he sent them away, some of the weaker ones may faint on the way (Mark 8:1-2). This was the motive for multiplying the loaves and the fish. His healings and ministery was all inspired by understanding. When it came to dying for the sins of the world, Jesus kept right on adoring, helping, and loving. He did not suffer and die for his own sins, because he was perfect. He cared for us—those who would one day respond in faith—so much that he willingly volunteered to pay the ultimate price to rescue us from this present evil age, sin, and the wrath of God (Gal 1:4; 1 Pet 2:24; Rom 5:9). When he finally breathed his last, he died not with bitterness and resentment poisoning his heart but with love and trust (1 Pet

His good deeds and character was acknowledged by others and strongly favored. Mary and Jesus both attended a wedding in Cana that ran out of wine. Jesus turned the water into wine. This act was the first to show other the glory of Jesus. Jesus declared that he is the true king of Israel and the people believed. Many people know him from his teachings, others have heard of the Lazarus affair. Jesus had raised this man from the dead and also raised people’s beliefs. As Jesus entered the streets of Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting roadside begging. The man was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing through, he began to cry out. Jesus heard the beggar’s cry and commanded that the man be brought forth. In Luke 18:41-42, dialogue between the two was shared. The man cried, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” Jesus assured him, “recover your sight, your faith has made you well.” Immediately, the man’s sight was clear and enhanced. Just like many other people, the man became a follower of Christ. People were immensely in love with Jesus’ grace. They laid their robes upon the ground; people waved branches they just tore from trees. This action demonstrated that they receive Jesus as their

(1) You pay attention to your spiritual life: You remember that the whole aim of your search is to fill that “God-shaped” void in your life —

on in the heart of any individual for God may be doing work in there.”

The Bible has much to say about what truly sustains someone. “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3, English Standard Version). God wanted the Israelites to learn that they need to depend fully on God. Sadly, many people do not live on God’s word, but instead they live on material possessions. These people are only existing, but they are not living. Anyone living by material things is among the living dead (Deuteronomy 8, 2006). God desires for his followers to depend on him fully because he is perfect. If people depend

someone else to worship, he had to act at that time in order to keep