Luke 4: 1-2
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.
What am I to learn from this episode in Jesus’ life? Why did the Holy Spirit lead him into the desert? First, I think I need to see how very strong the temptation likely was for Jesus to fall under the power of Satan. He had not eaten or had proper shelter for forty days. The human part of him must have been tempted. But he knew his Father, and knew there was a divine reason for this time in his life. So he endured. The difference for me is it is never quite so clear. My relationship with the Father is something which requires constant attention, and sometimes wavers. Jesus was perfect, without sin. I cannot do so well. But I have the ideal, the perfect example, in my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Holy Father, you have given me so much guidance, such a divine and perfect example of how to live a good and pure life. May I always look to the example you sent, Jesus, for a living image of “how to do life.” Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 4:1–2 I was taught that this episode was to give Jesus a taste of being human. We see the devil at his best when Jesus was at his lowest. Jesus was able to quote the lessons of scripture to help him resist. I am certainly capable of following his example, but as I look back, I see that I often thought of myself and not the words of the Holy Spirit. That led me into temptation. Every time we say the Lord’s prayer, we ask “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil “. We must remember verse 13 ….the devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity. Prayer: Gracious God, As I pray to you so ofte…
Luke 4:1-2
Jesus was led into the desert where the devil would tempt him. It was the Holy Spirit who lead Jesus there. So, if Jesus was sinless and was always pleasing to the Father then why be led into the wilderness to be tempted. One of the most important lessons I learn from this is Jesus’s total dependable on God’s word. He is alone and starving and he continually repeats Scripture. Since Jesus was (and still is) God in the flesh, he could have reprimanded the devil with a command or even a wave of his hand. But, instead, Jesus resisted temptation and was totally successful in his attempt to silence the evil one by quoting Scripture.Jesus was le…
Luke 4: 1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 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.
Temptation! It is a word that I deal with every day. I am tempted to eat too much, to pick an argument and to doubt God’s hearing me. I know when Satan is tempting me. I want to retaliate over something that is said, just because I feel I have a better answer. I don’t always catch myself, but most of the time I know that Satan is there wanting me to do the…
Luke 4:1-2
I don’t know how Jesus was tempted during the 40 days, but at the end, he was tempted to turn a stone into bread when he was so hungry. This was his most vulnerable time. I think the lesson here could be that we have to be the strongest when we are the most vulnerable. Some people do the wrong thing because they can, but good people give in to temptation when they are desperate. The devil hides the consequences from us and just shows us the benefits of our actions.
Dear Lord, help me to recognize desperation in myself and in others so that I might act in a Christian way and avoid temptation to do or…
Luke 4:1-2
That the Holy Spirit is mentioned twice cannot be overlooked. The Triune God teaches us in this dramatic episode that our strength to endure and resist temptation is in the power of the Spirit who guides us. The lesson also seems to be to remain especially on guard in times of stress. Old Scratch is, at his core, a coward who preys on those weakened by the trials of life. When we bear the mark of the Holy Spirit, he will seek someone else.
Prayer - Spirit of God, remain with me and abide in me to ward off the blandishments offered by Satan in his craven effort to steal my soul. I belong to You and…