The wilderness.

Mark 1:9-12, In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

John the Baptist did his preaching in the wilderness, and “all the country” went out to him confessing their sins and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins. John knew that Jesus did not need to be baptized for forgiven of sins, but Jesus insisted in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” John did not preach in the temple, but in the wilderness. And Jesus was not driven to the temple to preach a great sermon, but instead out into the wilderness to be tempted! For God’s ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts higher than our thoughts.

Guide us in your higher ways, even in though it may be the wilderness.

ESV Lectionary