Sunday, March 13, 2011

First Sunday in Lent- Temptation

It is the first Sunday in Lent.  As I sat down for coffee and breakfast I think about the 40 days and 40 nights of Jesus fasting and praying in the wilderness.  As you would read today's scripture below, you see that Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by devil.  I can't think to fast even once for the last many years.  The temptation Jesus faced in that wilderness is way beyond my imagination.  Discipline and faith that he had and lived by was beyond words can explain.  At the end of the 40 days and 40 nights of fasting Jesus was famished.  And yet he was able to say to the devil,  ‘Away with you, satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.”  
Then only the devil left Jesus and the angels waited on him.

Once again I am reminded of the fact that with every temptation  I face on my daily life I need to have faith in God, leaning on His strength and say to the tempter, "away with you, satan! I am going to worship and serve only God!" That is required of me first so that I may see the blessings, help, whatever my needs are from God.

No wonder Jesus taught us to pray saying,".... lead me not into temptation but deliver us from evil....." Perhaps Jesus taught us this part of the prayer because he himself was led into the wilderness to be tempted and by faith in God came out of it with angels waiting on him.  

Thank you Lord for this story of Jesus' temptation. Give me strength to be more like Jesus.  Amen.


Matthew 4:1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

4Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.3The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
   but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
   and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” 
7Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” 
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.” 
11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. 


Also: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19.

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