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Resisting TemptationFebruary 21, 2008Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" 5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours." 8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" 9The 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. 10For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" 12Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'� 13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. - Luke 4:1-13 This week's scripture is best known as the temptation of Jesus. Just after Jesus was baptized and before he began his well-known ministry, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tested by Satan. Why 40 days? The significance of 40 has biblical precedence. Moses spent 40 days without food on the mountain as he received from God the gift of the law (Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 9:9). Elijah, an Old Testament prophet, spent 40 days in flight to the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:4-8). Israel spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land. Likewise, Jesus spends 40 days after his baptism being tested by Satan. We are currently in the season of Lent, which is 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. As mentioned in last week's devotional, Lent is a time when we look introspectively at ourselves. This week's scripture forces us to look at temptation. Temptation is a reality in our lives. No one, not even Jesus, was exempt from its lure. Temptations come to us in many different forms. Of course we have the obvious ones; but it's the subtle ones that cause us the greatest grief. In this passage, Satan tries to get Jesus to show his greatness, to use his God-given power so that others might admire his abilities. Although he was worn down by Satan, in the end Jesus refuses to be lured into the trap. As Christians we must be careful with our actions. What might appear to be in our authority to do does not mean that we ought to do it. We do not have to prove ourselves to anyone but God. God is the only one to whom we are accountable. That being said, we need to focus on God, rather than the wants and desires of this world. By doing this, we will experience true greatness. What are some temptations that you are currently facing? Prayer: Eternal God, remind me to put you first in all things. Keep me strong so that I might remember what is most important. I need not spend my time and energy impressing others; rather, I need to get in touch with your will for my life. Amen. For more informationRev. Leigh Martin |
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