“You can’t possible understand what I’m going through,” we cry out as young teens to our parents, teachers, and friends when in a difficult situation.  As adults, this is what we tell those who try to console and comfort us when we are in our wits ends!  These words tumble out when we are overwhelmed and distraught as others offer unwarranted advice and attempt to “fix” it or us. 

“No matter where I turn, it seems the devil is on my case leading me to places I do not want to go.”  “Who can possibly understand what I am feeling?”

Jesus understands.  Jesus went through it all.  Jesus knows what we need most.

Mark 1, The Message

God’s Kingdom Is Here

^12-13 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

^14-15 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

^16-18 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

^19-20 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

My Jesus knows when I am Lonely
He knows each pain, He sees each tear
He understands each lonely heartache
He understands because He cares

… My Jesus knows just what I need
Oh yes, He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need

… My Jesus knows just what I need
Oh yes, He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need…

The words of this song written by Mosie Lister expresses our humanness and Jesus complete understanding of our human need.  Jesus was the Son of God.  He came to earth and was born as the Son of Man.  He felt pain, cried tears of sadness over the human condition of sin, and was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.  Jesus was led there by God’s Holy Spirit before beginning his public ministry of preaching Kingdom of God thinking and behaving.  Jesus sought God and got Satan’s harassment.  Other writers go into more detail than “just the facts” Mark.  So, let’s visit Luke 4 for all the details…Here is a snapshot:

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” Luke 4:1-4 ESV

Jesus is harassed two more times by Satan who knows human weakness and how to attack when we are at our weakest.  But Jesus, “full of the Holy Spirit” who was fasting in the wilderness as He sought God, responded with Scripture He had learned as a young student growing up in a devoted Jewish home.  Jesus was led by God, praying to God, recalling what God has said. 

Jesus teaches us to respond to Satan’s attacks with God’s Word.  Rise above what you feel with what you know to be Truth.  We who believe also have the Holy Spirit living in us with this same power to respond to all of evil’s attacks! 

Yes, my Jesus knows just what I need…

And in those times when we get a bit too full of ourselves, know that this is yet another attack of Satan.  Consider how Jesus responded…

“And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve.’”

Jesus knows we will be tempted to rise above others with thoughts of self-glorification and pride.  Satan is the “chief among liars.  Satan will lean into our selfish desires to be the most important over all, offering what he cannot give and has no authority to give.

My Jesus knows just what I need…

“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    to guard you,’

And “‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.  Luke 4:5-13, ESV

Now Satan tries to turn the tables on Jesus by quoting scripture himself—out of context and without knowledge of what it really means.  (Oh yes, he does this all the time!)  But Jesus, who is Truth, counters with Truth—Don’t test God!  Satan finally leaves but he never gives up…as we well know. These temptations of Satan now serve to prepare Jesus to be later attacked by the religious leaders who evil already has a hold on. 

My Jesus knows just what I need…Truth!

Jesus then leaves the wilderness to begin what God has sent Him to do.  Jesus preaches, “Change your life.  Believe the Message.  The Kingdom of God is here!”

Jesus then, still led by the Spirit of God, gathers a small group of ordinary people who will do extraordinary works for the glory of God.  “Come with Me” …Jesus still asks us to follow Him.

Yes, my Jesus knows just what I needed for today—A reminder of His Holy Presence living in me who leads me to Truth.

Lord,

Thank you for this lesson of how to combat our enemy whose only goal is to distract our focus on You with attempts to destroy our testimony about you.  You are God and no one else is God.  I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul.  So, cleanse my heart, remove all that offends you, renew my mind, refresh my soul with your new mercies for today and restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work in me.  Thank you for always giving me exactly what I need when I need it most and even before knowing I needed it!  You are amazing!  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen