Lenten Series
Week 1 | Sunday, February 18th
Matthew 4:4-11
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' But Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."'
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."'
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."'
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."'
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."'
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
Let’s consider this passage where Jesus was tempted by the devil. The Greek verb “to tempt” means to try, to test, to prove. In each of the three incidents the devil tested Jesus to get Him to place His will in front of the will of His heavenly Father. This is the essence of sin. Placing our will ahead of the will of God. The devil came at Jesus from different angles and twisted the truth. He knew where Jesus was vulnerable. He knew He was physically hungry. He knew the identity of Jesus, He was the Son of God, and he knew His destiny, some day Jesus would inherit all the kingdoms of this world. The devil tried to trick Jesus into rushing God’s timing, not dying to self and taking the easy way, worship the devil and by bypass the cross. Through these tests, Jesus resisted the devil and drew near to God.
Jesus had to pass these tests on His own, no one could do it for Him. But, once He was victorious, angels came and ministered to Him.
If Jesus needed to prepare for His time of testing, how much more do we need to prepare?
- Don’t be surprised when you are tested, the Holy Spirit Himself led Jesus into His time of testing.
- Be on your guard especially when you are vulnerable, stay close to your Good Shepherd.
- Prepare ahead of time for your times of testing, once you are in the test it is too late to prepare.
- Know the Word of God. Take it in daily so that you will not be fooled when it is misused.
- The final test was about worship. This is the ultimate question. To whom do you bow your knee?
Jesus had to pass these tests on His own, no one could do it for Him. But, once He was victorious, angels came and ministered to Him.
If Jesus needed to prepare for His time of testing, how much more do we need to prepare?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to follow the model you gave us when Jesus faced the tests of the adversary. May we learn to fast and pray in this Lenten season so that we are prepared for the trials that will surely come our way. Help us to follow You closely and to be nourished by Your living word so that we are able to resist when the tempter comes. Give us the grace to die to self daily, to yield our will to Your will and bow to You and You alone. We are grateful for the victory that Jesus won on the cross over the enemy of our souls. Jesus overcame every temptation and lives to intercede for us. May we emerge from our own wilderness experiences with renewed strength and steadfastness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Help us to follow the model you gave us when Jesus faced the tests of the adversary. May we learn to fast and pray in this Lenten season so that we are prepared for the trials that will surely come our way. Help us to follow You closely and to be nourished by Your living word so that we are able to resist when the tempter comes. Give us the grace to die to self daily, to yield our will to Your will and bow to You and You alone. We are grateful for the victory that Jesus won on the cross over the enemy of our souls. Jesus overcame every temptation and lives to intercede for us. May we emerge from our own wilderness experiences with renewed strength and steadfastness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen