Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)
Read Luke 4:1-13 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 4Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, Verse 2where 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. Verse 3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Verse 4Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Verse 5Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. Verse 6And 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. Verse 7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Verse 8Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Verse 9Then 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, Verse 10for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' Verse 11and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Verse 12Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Verse 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Devotion
Life is full of temptation. It started back in Genesis, chapter three, and continues today. We all face temptations, whether it be toys and attention as children or power and wealth as adults. The good news is that Jesus faced temptations as well, and we benefit from hearing his temptations, seeing how he responds, and judging how he did. The result is inspiration for all of us. Jesus uses God’s Word to combat the temptations he faced. God’s Word has power over our desires and the temptations we face. God’s Word sustains us today, just as it sustained our Lord Jesus in the wilderness. Scripture teaches us to simply rely on God for all our heart’s desires and for our every need.
Prayer
Gracious God, sustain us with your Word on our journey through Lent. Strengthen us in times of weakness and lead us not into times of temptation. Amen.
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