“1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"
5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered him, "It is written,
'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,'
11 and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"
12 Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time” Luke 4: 1-13.
There are some important information and reflections in this scene of Jesus being tempted in the desert. Some is about the nature of temptations and tests in our life; another is about Luke wanting you and me to understand that Jesus really is the Son of God because He is able to resist temptations. Luke also wants us to see that Jesus really was human. But the power and sinlessness of Jesus shines here, and this is central to our understanding of Jesus. We need to come away from this story encouraged by the example set by Jesus, that just as He did, so also can we resist temptations and tests in life – with the help of God. Study this scene to learn about the power of God, the nature of temptations and tests in life, and how to overcome them. It is important that the Spirit led Jesus into the desert where He was tempted. God’s guidance doesn’t guarantee that we will be free from difficulties and temptations. Remember the words from the Lord’s Prayer: “...lead us not into temptation…”
I am encouraged that Jesus “ate nothing during those days” during his time of being tempted. Now you and I may not be able to fast, but the point here is that Jesus was doing things in His life to place Himself in a position to receive the sufficient grace of God, His heavenly Father, to resist temptation. What can you and I do in this regard? Personally, you and I can be in daily prayer and Bible reading and reflection. It is foolish to think we can just go along our merry ways and when tempted we just manage to ignore the temptation.
I am also encouraged that Jesus always went immediately to the Word to resist temptation. This encourages me to remain in the Word each day. Jesus turns to His Father in the Word, in the presence of the Spirit to empower Him to step over temptations. I need to follow this example in order to live without having temptations lead me to sin.
I cannot just turn on and off the power of God. God’s grace is not a mere spicket - or faucet - of grace I control. I must live each day in His presence, in His Word, so that I can lean on the grace of God. Consider the things you need to do each day to remain in His presence so that when temptation comes your way, you can turn to Christ and his Word to be lead away from temptation.
Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”
James 4:7.
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all humanity. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Yorumlar