THE SET-UP: In the Gospels (the first four books of the New Testament), three of the four authors write about Jesus experiencing a forty-day fast in the wilderness. During this time, we read that He was tempted by the devil. If you have been feeling temptation or thought about giving up on fasting or whatever you have set aside for Lent, you are not the first and you are not alone. When we commit to fasting and prayer, we put ourselves in a position to really hear from God. We also put ourselves in the enemy’s cross hairs. But the good news is that we can trust God to give us the strength we need to keep going as we believe for breakthrough!
THE SCRIPTURE: 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’[b]”5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’[c]” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[d]” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[e]” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. - Luke 4:1-13
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- When you read this passage, which one of the temptations that Jesus faced do you think was the toughest? Why did you choose that one?
- What are the situations or circumstances that you find tempting in your life? How do you usually respond to those temptations?
- Jesus responded to the devil’s temptations with Scripture. What are some Scripture passages that help you in dealing with temptation in your life?
PRAYER FOCUS: The Bible promises us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). Thank God that He won’t allow you to be overwhelmed by temptation and that He will be your source of strength and encouragement as you go through this Lenten season. Pray also for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are sharing this season with you.