Daily devotional · March 4
Tested in the Wilderness
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “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.’ ” Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.”
Immediately after his baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where he was hungry and alone. The tempter's three offers all sounded reasonable: use your power for comfort, prove your identity with a spectacle, take the shortcut to a kingdom without the cross. Each time Jesus answered by leaning on what God had already said, refusing to make his Father a servant of his appetites. Temptation rarely arrives looking evil; it arrives looking like a shortcut. Notice too that Jesus was not spared the struggle, so our struggles do not prove God has abandoned us. He faced them as one of us and won. Today, name the shortcut that most tempts you: a small lie, a scroll that never ends, a sharp reply. Then decide in advance what you will do instead, and ask God for the strength to do it.
Prayer
Jesus, You know what temptation feels like. Give me strength to choose Your way today. Amen.