…And Son of Man
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You that You have given us Your Word. Thank You that You are a God who speaks.
Read LUKE 4:1-13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, [2] where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. [3] The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” [4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.'” [5] The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. [6] And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. [7] If you worship me, it will all be yours.” [8] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'” [9] The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. [10] For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; [11] they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” [12] Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” [13] When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who led Jesus into the desert?Have you ever given something up for Lent? Do you remember what a long time it seemed? Forty days is a very long time to fast, and a very long time to face continual temptation. When Luke tells us that Jesus was “hungry” (2), it is an understatement! Jesus must have been physically very weak and tired.Today’s reading emphasizes Jesus’ humanity. If Jesus was human enough to feel real hunger and weakness, then he was human enough to experience real temptation. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin” (Heb. 4:15). It’s comforting to know that Jesus understands what we are going through: he has been there. The devil attacked Jesus by questioning his identity (3,9), which we heard God speak from heaven in yesterday’s reading (3:22). We are often tempted in the same way: we begin by doubting who we are in God. Jesus’ shield against Satan’s onslaught was God’s written Word: “It is written… it is said…” (4,8,12). We can learn a lot from this. If we let God’s Word fill our hearts, its truths will come to mind when we are under attack.
Apply
Take to Jesus those areas in which you are facing temptation. Ask him for specific Scriptures to stand on.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, help me hear when You say, “Sit and wait,” and hear when You say, “Move.”
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