And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. ... And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-2a, 13)
I'm not surprised Jesus' ministry began with temptation. After all, it ended the same way—with the devil speaking through the people who mocked Him, tempting Jesus to use His power to come down from the cross.
Here Jesus faces a whole bunch of temptations—and if you look closely, every one of them is a way to get out of His future suffering and death. Turn stone into bread? Yes, and You can feed the people miraculously forever! They will follow You anywhere! No need for the cross.
What about jumping off the temple, only to be saved by angels? Well, everybody likes a good show. And to be sure, such a display would make the Romans think twice before they took on an earthly king who had obvious divine power. Again, no need for the cross—take David's throne, and call it good.
But what about the worst one—where the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory—all for the low, low price of worshipping Satan? Not a chance.
Jesus would never dishonor the Father He loved that way. Nor would He risk us, even for a moment, by doing anything other than what the Father had given Him to do—to lay down His life for us on the cross, and then take it up again on Easter morning.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, You loved us enough to stay faithful when it was hardest. Thank You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What sins tempt you the most?
* How do you find help when you are tempted?
* Does it comfort you to know Jesus was tempted? Why or why not?
