In Mark 1:12-13 Jesus prepares for his ministry by going out into the desert and overcoming the temptations that were put this way. I liken it to an actor preparing for their initial grand stage performance, a musician about to play in their inaugural concert in front of a large concert or a sports star competing in a packed stadium in their first grand final. Their experiences like Jesus will be life changing not only for themselves but for those people who witnessed their craft.

So, what enabled these people to achieve their goals?  I would contend that it begins with their faith in their ability to attain their objectives. That is to know you have done all the hard work, developed the necessary skill set and are not daunted by the task that is about to be placed in front of you. Thus, they were mindful that they had the fortitude to overcome any obstacles. For Jesus it was more than that he knew that through the power of the Holy Spirit which came from God that he could remove any barriers that were blocking his path to complete his ministry.

Finally, what were the outcomes that they were hoping to deliver? For me it is how do we remember them? Is it their great work, their contribution to others as role models or that their tradition continues? For the actor it is plays in theatres throughout the globe. The musician, packed concerts listening to a variety of music from all different countries. The sport star filling stadiums to watch teams compete. While for Jesus it is that some 2021 years people are still proclaiming the message that he taught through his ministry. What great legacies they leave us by being ready and proficient.