Wilderness Time in the New Covenant

by Eric Reeder

Mark 1:12

Jesus wasn't in need of knowing Father was pleased with Him. He never walked in the deception that Father was unpleased. At 12, Jesus was already revealing Father in mind blowing ways. The scene at the Jordan in Mark 1:11 wasn't about what Jesus needed, it was what humanity needed. Mankind needed to know truth that would incarcerate the deception that He was angry and out to get us. From the deception-shattering moment when the heavens opened and revealed a pleased Father, Jesus was then sent to the wilderness. Holy Spirit guided Him into a 40 day season of gaining. Fasting was the disregarding of the demands of His humanity to show that wasn't to be our source of life. We are told we don't live by bread alone, but by the word coming from Father's heart (Matt 4:4). Jesus didn't have to fast to remove something out of order in His life. He was going into a time of gaining from Father and what His heart had to share.

For those of the Superior Covenant, the wilderness isn't about "wondering". It's about discovery. The wilderness is time with Father not time circling your desert. Often times, people say a time of struggle, loneliness, heartache, or confusion is a "wilderness". That is old covenant thinking and needs not to be participated with. Spirit didn't drive Jesus into a time of wondering or struggle. Spirit lead Him into a deep time with Father. Hard times are just that; hard times. Our wilderness is Spirit leading us deeper in knowing Father. That is always good times. Even in the midst of struggle we can know Him more deeply which is goodness prevailing over the struggle.

Notice and take note of how Spirit is causing you to see more of Father, His goodness, and that He is pleased. This is the wilderness; the unrestricted place of knowing His heart. Enjoy it. Enjoy living from what comes from His heart instead of living from the demands of your humanity.