Mark 1: With the Wild Animals
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At once the Spirit sent Jesus out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
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In popular European stories like Hansel and Gretel, Beauty and the Beast, Red Riding Hood, and others, the the wilderness is a dangerous place. The forest is dark and dangerous. The Puritans believed that the wilderness was the habitat of the devil.
The problem is that the Bible does not say that. Jesus was WITH the wild beasts. He was not battling them. They were partners on this journey. They were his companions on this vision quest. This should not come as a surprise. The Creator has a priority for all creatures--not just two-leggeds.
In Genesis, God’s word of creation came to animals before humans. In the great flood, God made a way to save the animals. In Ezekiel and Revelation we see animals standing before the throne of God, praising the Creator eternally. The birth of Jesus Christ was witnessed first by the animals in the stable. The angels’ first noel came to the shepherds who were watching their animals. Little wonder that the ministry of Jesus Christ started with the animals as well.
In many Native traditions, young people go on vision quest as they prepare for adulthood. The Creator often sends an animal to teach the young warrior some spiritual lesson. Elders then help to interpret the message. Those lessons may show a person’s weakness as well as strengths.
The vision quest helps a young warrior learn her or his gifts to share with the community. It also shows where they need help from others. When every person brings their strengths and weaknesses to the circle, the community is balanced and strong.
That is exactly what happened to Jesus on his vision quest. Perhaps a lion spoke to the Lion of Judah. Perhaps an eagle carried his prayers to the skies. Perhaps a serpent reminded him of the curse he came to break. We do know that Jesus was with the Creator’s wild animals, and that helped him prepare for his life of service.
In a healthy church every believer should know their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Every child of the Creator has some gift to offer and some weakness to safeguard. We ignore those weaknesses at our peril. We imperil the whole community when we deny our own strengths.
What are your strengths? Where are your weaknesses? What do you offer your community of faith? Where do you need someone to help you? Will you spend this season of Lent in your own vision quest to learn what the Creator says to you?
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O Creator, you made all things wise and wonderful—all creatures great and small. Drive us into the wilderness so we may learn our place in your sacred circle.