On this beautiful evening, I want to tell you: I want to walk with Yeshua (Jesus). How about you?

Devotional for Today January 4
Twice in the Gospel of Mark, the word “immediately” is used to refer to important events in Yeshua’s life. Yeshua goes to receive baptism and the “immediately” the sign from Heaven. Also “immediately” the Spirit prompts Yeshua to go into the wilderness.

This is no coincidence. It is a holy sign of spiritual urgency that has nothing to do with our irresponsible, often even sinful haste in our daily lives.

Bible Verse for Today
In those days Yeshua came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

And immediately the Spirit brought Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him. Mark 1:9-13

The holy spiritual urgency is driven by the concern that much loss is incurred by someone who does not know Yeshua. The Gospel of Yeshua must not be delayed for a single minute; it must be proclaimed now, without waiting for favorable circumstances.

Who Yeshua is revealed to us in today’s Gospel passage from Mark.

Devotion for every day: Prayer for Today
Yeshua allows Himself to be baptized with the baptism of repentance. He is the only one without sin, standing in line with sinners. Perhaps the word solidarity has a special meaning here. From that moment on, no one is alone in the fight against evil. No one is a hopeless case. No one has to die in his sins. Yeshua, God incarnate, stands as a man among men. A real man.

But at the same time, He is also a true God. We hear the voice of God the Father confirming this.

I Want to Walk with Yeshua
Whoever receives Yeshua must be prepared to be led by the Holy Spirit not only through green pastures but also along paths that lead through the wilderness. Just as Yeshua was led.

The wilderness means confrontation with the beasts of the desert and even with Satan himself. It means challenges, trials, even temptation to draw you away from your faith. There is no following Christ without risks.

Such trials are necessary for you to be purified.

But the wilderness is also a place of peace, a place of quiet. The wilderness is a place of encounter with God. Above all, the desert is in our lives.

At first glance, the wilderness seems to be a scary, dangerous and dead place. It seems impossible to experience God’s love if life is full of difficulties and trials. A person may feel that he or she is left all alone. But this is not true.

It is in such deserts that the springs of the Living Water are most abundant. One has only to look for them and drink when one finds them.

We have begun our pilgrimage. Inevitably, our path will pass through deserts and wilderness several times this year. Do not forget that in the midst of difficulties, God is closest to you. Do not close yourself off, do not withdraw. Drink from the source of life and strength.

Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, I want to walk with you. I want to enter the water of repentance with you. Lord, I want to go into the wilderness with you. I want to fight with you, by your side, and overcome every temptation. And I want to stand in suffering. And I want you to invite me into your Kingdom. In the name of Yeshua the Messiah.