Scripture Reading: Luke 4.1-13 Today's inspiration: "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted,

He is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2.18

Good Morning, Friends.

We left Jesus standing in the Jordan River, being exalted by God the Father, after His baptism. When He walks away, Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit. (interesting--while the Holy Spirit would not inhabit believers until after Jesus had ascended to Heaven following the resurrection--Luke lets us know that Jesus was full of the Spirit.) The Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, and a time of fasting coupled with severe temptation--40 days worth! The Judean wilderness covers a lot of ground--north of Jericho and down to the Dead Sea, and extends back to what are referred to as the Jerusalem Hills; it is wild and very barren, averaging only an inch of rain a year. For 40 days, Jesus was tempted by the devil, while fasting, likely only drinking a little water. Pastor Chuck Smith explains Jesus' condition at this point--'after five days, you really don't get that hungry, but right around 40 days you get hungry again, because the body is starving to death.' It is at this time the devil hits Jesus with the first temptation--'you're the Son of God--command this rock to become bread.' Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy--"Man shall not live by bread alone," and adds, "but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Jesus focuses on the superiority of the spiritual, rather than the material.

Even though Jesus was being tempted throughout the 40 days, the three temptations that Luke describes are those that come at the end of the time in the wilderness--when Jesus' body was weakest. The nature of this first temptation questions God's provision and care. Satan does the same thing with us when he says, 'if God really cared, then there wouldn't be suffering in the world. . .' 'How do you know God is really there? If He was, you wouldn't be in this financial crisis', etc.

Satan then takes Jesus up on a mountain, and shows Jesus all of the kingdoms --and tells Jesus he'll give Him back control over all of them (his since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, when sin entered the world), if Jesus will just bow down and worship him. 'Oh, right--yeah, I left the glory of Heaven, and the community I experienced with my Father and the Holy Spirit, to come here with one thing in mind--and you think I'm going to just bow down and worship you?!' Well, okay, that's not what Jesus said--no, again He answered, "it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve." Let us notice that 'it is the God of Abraham and Isaac, God the Father', the Son says, who is the only God worthy of our worship.

Finally, Satan takes Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem--probably on the temple's southeast corner, which hangs over a cliff, with the Kidron Valley some 450 feet below. The first century Jewish historian, Josephus, notes that just looking over the edge made people dizzy. 'Go ahead, throw yourself over, precious Jesus--your 'Father', he says derisively, 'will save you,' taunting Jesus. "Throw yourself down from here," and this time, Satan quotes Scripture--"'He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you,' and 'on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answers, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."

When he had finished tempting Jesus, Satan left him. He does not directly confront Jesus again until the crucifixion. Jesus had prevailed against Satan's snares, staying obedient to the will of God.

What are we to take from this? COMFORT. The apostle Paul, writing to the Hebrews lets us know our position: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin." (4.15) "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2.18) And finally, we have this promise, written to the Corinthian church--ASSURANCE--"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10.13 A PLAN--Jesus did not engage the devil--He did not flirt with the temptation at hand, thereby potentially weakening any resolve. Jesus' brother James later wrote, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4.7 Sometimes we dance right up to the 'line'--we dance up, and even stick one toe over, testing what will happen. . . let's go the other direction.

Another valuable lesson from this passage - Jesus answered temptation with Scripture. So can you. I do not know any device more powerful than the Word of God to confront evil, comfort us in pain, guide us in darkness, give us peace in times of fear. Whenever you come across a verse that speaks to you, friends, write it on a 3 X 5 card, highlight it in your Bible or notes, and then dare I say--memorize it?! When the unexpected time of testing or temptation comes, Scripture verses are potent arrows in your quiver.

This is the first extreme pain and testing Jesus faces, and already I find myself asking, "Why did You do it? Why? Heck, I'm miserable when I fast for 1/2 a day, Lord--how did You do it? Why did You subject Yourself to that for us? Plus the temptations. . .? Why?" 'Any thoughts, friends? Hit "reply", weigh in with your responses. . .

So that you may know how He loves you,

Christine

Questions to ponder: Why would the Holy Spirit, (God), lead His Son into the wilderness to be tempted? It seems so harsh, directly after His glorious baptism. . .

I'm sure you've had 'wilderness' seasons, too--think about them. How did they change you?