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Mark 6:45-46
We find in Mark 6:45 (NKJV) the beginning word “Immediately.” The NIV, HCSB, and the ESV also begin this verse with the same word; the KJV begins this verse with the words, “And straightway.” This is important because it indicates a sense of urgency. This should grab our attention as to the question of, “Why the hurry?” Jesus has just fed the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Why is there a rush to send everyone away now? The Bible teaches us in John 6:14-15, speaking of this same event, “14Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’
“15Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” Jesus had the urgency to dismiss the crowd to prevent them from declaring Him king. He needed His disciples to disperse so that they would not encourage the multitude in this uproar as His time had not yet come. And then, as Jesus, in His earthly body and experiencing temptation just as we do, fled from it. He went solitarily into the mountains to pray to His heavenly Father for support; He did what He teaches us to do in times of trial and temptation – He fled from it and went to pray for support from God. Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John on the night of His betrayal, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. /the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, NKJV). And we all know the words of Jesus as He teaches us to pray in Matthew 6:13,
“And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
This is a command to flee with urgency – immediately – from temptation when it strikes.
This is a promise that we must do our part and turn from temptation and seek God’s help through prayer to overcome it.
Jesus fled temptation of being king because it was not the kingship in which He came to hold as that of an earthly king. But the kingship that Jesus came to be is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus came to be King of all in the timing of His heavenly Father that was determined by His innocent death as death is the penalty for sin, but Jesus had no sin. In His unruly death was the defeat of death as He went into the depths sinless to a place that was only for the sinful. Jesus presented a presence in death that was outside the requirements for death; it was a mind-blow to death and Satan; it was an atomic bomb going off in the depths of hell; it was the destruction of hell for all who will put their faith in Jesus. He did the work as He is the only One who is worthy to do the work of defeating sin, death, and Satan. All that is left for us to do is to believe in Him.
Jesus taught us to pray in time of temptation, and He set the example in His own earthly ministry; if Jesus needed to retreat to a solitary place, removing Himself from the temptation upon Him, to pray to God for support in overcoming it, then don’t you think that we need God’s help all the more? Put your faith in Jesus today and believe that He did the work for you, and you too will overcome the sinful nature – in Christ! Jesus declared in John 14:26-27, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Dear LORD,
Jesus fled temptation immediately and turned to You for support in prayer. Please help us to realize and understand that Jesus experienced temptation just as we do, but He did not fall to it because He turned to You for support in overcoming it – every time. Please prompt us of this when temptation strikes us, that we too would flee from it and turn to You in prayerful support and overcome the wiles of the devil – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.