Scripture: St. Mark 1:12-15 (NKJV)
12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in
the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and
the angels ministered to Him. 14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came
to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in
the gospel.”
Devotion
Today’s reading says more than just historical facts, for John the Baptist, the
last of the Old Testament prophets, suffers the fate of all of those prophets.
He suffers on account of his preaching. Once again the Word of God is despised
and forsaken by those who have heard the faithful preaching of the Word.
This is why Mark tells us about the beginning of our Lord’s ministry. Jesus
began His ministry in Galilee. Why is this significant? Because Galilee was
located in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, the northernmost part of the
kingdom of Israel, and the farthest from the center of the Israelite
religion—Jerusalem. This region was the first to be led into exile on account
of their false worship and forsaking the command of God.
This is a region where the devil’s influence is evident and powerful, so it is
in this land that our Lord Jesus begins His ministry. He sets up shop in His
enemy’s backyard. Just like in His temptation, Christ meets the devil where he
appears powerful so that His defeat of the deceiver is more glorious for Him
and more shameful for the devil.
This is how the Lord works our salvation, by conquering the devil in his own
kingdom, and making us the heirs of His kingdom. The One Who is God in the
flesh sacrifices Himself and suffers for us, so that we might bear the crown of
victory that He won. What love our God and Lord has for us! He redeems us who
live in His enemy’s land and who are under His enemy’s authority, all so that
He might turn our hearts and minds to believe on Him and cling to Him for our
eternal salvation.
The Lutheran Herald is a publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of
North America. These daily devotions are authored by the bishop, pastors, and
deacons of the diocese. Daily posts are provided by The Reverend Jeffrey A.
Ahonen.
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