Gospel, Mark 1:12-15 When I was a kid, professional boxing from Madison Square Garden dominated Friday night viewing on the “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports”. Managers and trainers would escort their man down the aisle and into the ring. The boxer typically wore a flashy robe with his name emblazoned across the back. He had trained for this fight and was there to face his opponent in battle.
In today’s gospel, the Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert….in Matthew and Luke specifically for Jesus be tempted by the devil. The image of the fighter comes to mind. The Spirit was guiding and preparing Jesus, not to run away from the devil but to face him and be victorious in the battle. The Spirit accompanied Jesus as the manager leads and guides the boxer. Jesus will square off against the workings of the devil a number of times during his ministry. We read of one example a few weeks ago in the account of Jesus casting the evil spirit out of a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. The text said that Jesus faced the spirit directly and asserted his authority. Jesus was ready to do battle and to reclaim territory for the Kingdom of God. He invites each person to enter that kingdom by repentance (renunciation of the reign of sin in one’s life) and belief in the good news of the gospel.
Recent Comments