The Epiphany spotlight shined on Jesus at His Baptism last week – Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and God the Father publicly announcing, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” It was Jesus’ commissioning, His ordination to “fulfill all righteousness”. It signaled that the work of our salvation had “officially” begun!

Immediately after His baptism, Jesus charged into battle! He is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where He will begin His battle against our greatest enemy: Satan himself. He is waging war against the Evil One for us and our salvation. The only weapon He has is the Word of God, and He holds onto it with both hands of faith. Like Israel of old who went through the water of the Red Sea and spent 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus has gone through the water of Baptism and will spend 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. But unlike Israel, Jesus will not abandon God and fall into temptation!