Overcoming Temptation - Feb. 22, 2010
Overcoming Temptation - Feb. 22, 2010
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And 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. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" The 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. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time
Luke 4:1-13
The prophet Zechariah penned the words, “I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7). His words pointed to the day when Jesus was arrested and led off to trial and crucifixion. His disciples abandoned him. When their shepherd was struck down, the disciples scattered.
But throughout Jesus’ life there were other times that the devil tried to strike him down. This reading from Luke 4 is just one example. The devil knew that if he could lead Jesus into just one sin, God’s entire plan for saving mankind would fall. If Jesus fell, all of us would fall with him. So Satan tempted Jesus to sin.
The first of these temptations doesn’t seem to be that terribly bad to me. After all, Jesus was true man and true God. Because he was man, he was hungry. Because he was true God, he could do something about it. So what would it hurt if he were to change a stone into bread? After all, on other days he changed water into wine and even fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two small fish. What harm could a little miracle do?
But in all of these temptations Jesus recognized what the devil was trying to do. He was trying to get Jesus to act selfishly. He tempted Jesus to be self-serving and to fill his self-centered desire for food, for power, and for a sign from God. Jesus would have none of it. He saw through the devil’s temptations and responded with the Word of God. By resisting temptation, Jesus continued to be our sinless substitute. Jesus was focused on you and me. He came to give his life for ours to take away our sin.
Having been forgiven and strengthened by Jesus, we are also ready to face the temptations of the devil. Our best defense is the Word of God which helps us see through the devil’s lies and schemes. It is also our answer to the difficult questions we face and the guiding light in our lives.
Our Savior faced the devil and defeated him. With the strength that Jesus gives, we are ready to face him, too.
Savior Jesus, strengthen me against the temptations of the devil. Build me up in your Word that I may humbly trust in your almighty power to help me overcome his lying schemes. Direct me to live according to your will in thankfulness for the victory you won over Satan to give me life and salvation. Amen.
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