Thursday, March 26: Luke 4- Even Jesus was tempted to sin.

The first story of Jesus after His baptism reveals that He was tempted in 3 major ways during His time of solitude in the desert.

We are all tempted many times a day… I know I am. All too often I stumble and fall into the tempter’s trap. Not Jesus.

First, Jesus was tempted to use personal power, fame and name for His own personal good. God’s call to Abraham and every follower since then is to be a blessing for others, a blessing to the world. When we misuse God’s blessings for personal gain, we fall right into the tempter’s trap. Jesus saw and avoided the first temptation.

Second, Jesus was offered all manner of worldly authority and wealth if He would only worship the tempter. What’s my number, what’s your number? Do we have a number for which we would sell our soul? Jesus said ‘no’ to the ultimate offer…  no fame or wealth was worth putting someone, anyone (thing) on the worship pedestal which is reserved for God alone.

Third, Jesus was tempted by a twisting of God’s Word. Do I know the word of God well enough to know when the tempter or the world is twisting it “just a little” to pull it off center with God?

The tempter is a wily adversary….but Jesus was ready.

Am I?  Are you?

I noticed one more piece of the account. When Jesus was victorious these three times, it wasn’t over. It is not as if the tempter folded up shop and left Jesus alone. Luke tells us, When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time (13). This side of eternity, we never defeat the tempter for good. Like Jesus, we have to be constantly on the look out and be ready to battle whenever the tempter rears his ugly head. Don’t ever forget this.

Lord, thank You for this warning. Jesus, thank You for being tempted –You know what it is like. And thank You for defeating. I know I can defeat him, too, and that You will defeat him for good in Your perfect time. Thank You and bless You, Jesus. Through You, I pray. Amen.