Hello Advent Family,

 

Matthew 4 is the passage where Jesus is tempted by Satan in a variety of ways. His pride, loyalty to God and even hunger are tested. He provides and answer to the temptation by quoting scripture. Honestly I probably would have failed at bread. By around 11:30 every day I am ready for lunch (sometimes earlier). If it stretches much longer than that I get hangry. This passage is a great reminder of several things. How to respond to temptation. The fact that Jesus knows and understands the things we walk through in daily life including temptation. It also shows us that we can stand up to temptation even when we are weak, tired, hungry, and spent. Let’s look at the passage together today.

 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 

I have always found it fascinating that at one point Satan actually uses scripture to try and tempt Jesus. In our effort to live lives that look like Jesus we should strive to always be prepared to face temptations. I have often experienced them worst at times when things are going really well or when I am at the end of my rope but that can happen any time incur lives. Be prepared by learning scripture in our “typical” areas of struggle. By having good accountability in your life and by going to Jesus in prayer. He understands our struggle and is there with us to provide help.

 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave