Jesus and the Stretch Limo

# 225 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.”

Coming up out of the water, the Holy Spirit has anointed Jesus in full measure, and God the Father has given Him the ultimate public encouragement, calling Him “beloved and well pleasing.”

Without any delay, the Holy Spirit pulls alongside Jesus in a stretch limo and says, “hop in.” Now, you and I might expect a ride to Jerusalem, to the temple, or some other hot spot or hub of activity. But the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness! I can picture myself in that limo, tapping on the window to get the driver’s attention, “Hey, where are we going, Jerusalem is the other way!” But the Holy Spirit knows what He is doing, and His strong urging is met with willing obedience on the part of Jesus.

He knows this limo driver, (the Holy Spirit) was sent by the Father, and so in the humanity and humility of the Son, He obeys. He allows the Holy Spirit to take Him to the place where He needs to be.

Therein lies the lesson for us. When we have tested the Spirit’s urging to be sure it is not outside the will of God as found in His Word, we need to exercise willing obedience IMMEDIATELY and allow the Holy Spirit to take us to where the Father wants us to go.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.