COMPELLED
Today's reading: Mark 1-2

"Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness." Marl 1:12 NLT

"And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness." Mark 1:12 KJV

During my time in Israel, we drove past, did not stop, the place along the Jordan River where they believe Jesus to have been baptized.

It was at least an hour's drive from the place where we were baptized, but the same river.

This site is used for baptisms today, but it is a very unsafe place, according to our tour pastor. It is a spot where little 'work' has been done to make it tourist friendly or accessible.

I think about that spot along the Jordan as I read this verse.

It was a place where believers had gathered for John's words and encouragement and preaching.

It was a place where lives were changed and families were mended.

I'm sure it was a place that stirred the hearts of new believers.

And yet it says the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to leave this place--and place Himself into the hands of the enemy in the desert.

When I looked up the Greek translation of the word 'driveth', the definition that jumped off the page and into my heart was 'plucketh, as in pulling hairs from a beard'.

I'm sure that's exactly what it felt like for Jesus to leave this worship service and begin a 40 day fast.

I've been there.

On a mountaintop, then sent to a valley.

In a state of victory, then in a another battle before catching my breath.

On a high, then find myself in a low.

With a great deal of confidence in God as my Savior, then filled with doubt as to why He would ever love me.

It hurts.

It is a wilderness.

And in Jesus' case, as in ours, the wilderness (desert) wasn't too far away.

But God was in both places!