Jesus Is Baptized and Tempted

Today's passage covers how Jesus, after being baptized by John, was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and tempted by Satan. Jesus was baptized in order to bear the sins of humanity and become the atoning sacrifice, and this is the starting point that leads to suffering and the cross. John the Baptist knew that his mission was to transfer sin onto Jesus, yet seeing Jesus' holiness, he did not want to baptize him. But Jesus said that he must do this in order to fulfill all righteousness, and he was baptized.

Afterward, when the Holy Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness, Satan set three temptations before him: making bread, putting on a miracle, and the offer of the glory of all the kingdoms of the world. Satan tried to use Jesus' identity to put God to the test, demanded a miracle to draw people's attention, and tried to make him covet worldly power. But Jesus drove off every temptation with God's word, and made clear that God alone is to be worshiped and served. This shows that the heart of salvation is a relationship with God and following the truth, more than miracles or worldly glory.

We must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and worship in spirit and truth, not be deceived by Satan's cunning temptations, and obey the Word. Take time to reflect deeply on what it means to drive back evil spirits with the boldness the Holy Spirit gives, and to live relying on the truth rather than on what can be seen.