The Gospel of Luke 4:1-13
After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 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. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.'”
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 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. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'”
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, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'”
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, Just as Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness, grant us the strength and wisdom to overcome the trials we face each day. Help us to remain steadfast in faith and to rely on Your Word as our foundation. Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. And when we face trials that seem too heavy to bear, remind us of Jesus’ endurance in the wilderness. Strengthen our spirits and renew our courage so that I\we may persevere. Help us to fix our eyes on You and draw our strength from Your grace. May our struggles refine our faith and bring use closer to You. Amen.
Authority Over All Kingdoms: The devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Jesus replied, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him” Today too many have accepted the offer from the devil, people from CEOs, politicians, those who are power hungry and really don’t care about those they hurt to get what they want. Ultimate power. They prey on the hungriest, most exhausted and most vulnerable. Those who are vulnerable are presented with the promises of comfort and security, but when confronted those in high power deny it. If we follow in the steps of Jesus, we should be able to identify and decline the temptations before us. We need to accept God’s protection and have faith that he will direct us down the right path. The path of walking with his Son. Where do we go from here? Do we fall into the devil’s trap, or do we listen to God? For our sake Jesus didn’t fall to the temptation of Satan. This passage highlights Jesus’ steadfast faith and reliance on scripture to resist temptation. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual discipline and trust in God’s word. This passage highlights Jesus’ steadfast faith and reliance on scripture to resist temptation. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual discipline and trust in God’s word. The 40 days he spent in the wilderness was a struggle, but His faith in God His Father, provided Him the strength to outlast the devil. In our struggles it seems like some of us are out in the desert wilderness on our own. As we begin this Lenten season are we up to the challenges that face us each day. Challenges that seem to put us alone in the wilderness. Remember you are never alone. Would we able to resist the temptation to replace God with an idol. Some of the people of the United States already have. In human experience, the idolization of things and people brings an endless path of suffering and despair. Here again Jesus is emphatic. Only God can command our total loyalty. And our loyalty should never be to test God or cast doubt on God’s presence. “Instead, the Scriptures are reminders of God’s powerful presence with God’s people even in the wilderness. Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness are not all that different than our temptations. The wilderness is not so much a place as a situation. Like Jesus we are sometimes left alone with our thoughts. Who am I? What is my life about? How will I get through this? In the wilderness there will always be a voice that is quick to offer an answer, an idea, a way. Jesus was tempted in every way as are we.” (1) So, it is up to each of us not to fall into those temptations.
So, as you begin your Lenten Journey, work to make your journey one that will last not just through Lent, but through the rest of your life and take time to appreciate life and to understand your mortality on earth and look forward to everlasting life in Christ.
Let us Pray: Whatever wilderness the Spirit has brought you to: walk in boldness, as a beloved child of God walk in peace, under the shelter of the Most High walk in faith, knowing Christ walks with you. Amen.
(1) Interrupting the Silence A sermon by Michael K. Marsh on February 18, 2013
Reflections by Bob 