4 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2 There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. 3 The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
4 Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread.”[a]
5 Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”[b]
9 The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you 11 and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.[c]”
12 Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.”[d] 13 After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.
Reflection
The title of this scripture in Bible Gateway is “Jesus’ temptations.” For me, maybe you as well, the title should be “My temptations.” When I look back at my life I can think of many times that I was tempted to do something, but God stopped me. It wasn’t a voice, just a feeling, an immediate presence, not to do something or to do something.
I see in this scripture some of what Pastor Joe was speaking about this past Sunday, his Thursday Devotional, also in the Ash Wednesday message.
Satan spoke three temptations to Jesus, each driving at the same point. Could he get Jesus to act independently of God? This is a situation that we can reflect on. How often do we ask ourselves, what would God want me to do and why.
In verse 4 Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 where Moses is reminding the Israelites, when they were in the middle of the wilderness, that they were not able to survive just because they ate manna. They were surviving because God was leading them to the promised land and wanted them to survive, God’s plan for them was much more than sustenance.
Jesus refused the opportunity to stop his hunger because he knew that God was with him and knew that the temptations had greater meaning and purpose.
Verses 5 – 7 tell us that Satan believed he had authority. Perhaps he claimed this power as Satan, and as delivered to him not by God, but by the kings and the people who followed them, who gave their power and honor to the devil. Ephesians 2:2 talks about the former, spiritually dead state of believers who used to follow the ways of the world.
Jesus’ response in verse 8 is very much in keeping with his purpose. One translation uses these words, “Get thee behind me, Satan, I cannot bear the mention of it. What! worship the enemy of God whom I came to serve? and of man whom I came to save? No, I will never do it.”
Verse 12 is often seen as a quote from Deuteronomy 6:16 where it is said, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God by asking for a proof of divine revelation when Jesus was already, God filled, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
Ash Wednesday and the following 40 days are intended to be a time of recognizing that we are in the wilderness. The wilderness of self-determination rather than self-reflection, repentance and preparation.
40 is also the number of years of the Hebrew wandering and the number of days of Moses on Sinai.
Are you finding space for spiritual growth, renewal in God’s Word, seeking?
Are you open to experiencing God moments? Earlier, this evening Laura was listening to her iPod in the gym and what came up in the rotation? It was a beautiful and meaningful song for just this moment in time, “Shout to the Lord.” I love this version by Australian singer-songwriter-pastor Darlene Zschech. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, lead us through this 40-day journey with humility and courage. Help us turn away from distractions and draw closer to You. Shape our hearts through repentance and fill each of us with steady faith and love. Amen.
