Memorable Moments: Day #9 Truth Over Temptation

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Lent 2025: Day #9

"'But what about you?' he [Jesus] asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" 
~Matthew 16:15

"It is written."

At this point Jesus hasn't been referred to as Rabbi nor has he preached a sermon or asked anyone to "Follow Me." One unfamiliar with the life of Jesus might assume that immediately following his baptism is when Jesus feeds the multitudes. Or surely this high point is when He brought someone back to life--or one may wonder if this is when He gave sight to the blind.

Remember, God's ways are not our ways.

Mark 1:12-13

"At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him."

Matthew 4:1-11

"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,'

Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread along, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point 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 answered him, '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 splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.'

Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! for it is written; 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

Luke 4:1-13

(Luke's account is very similar to Matthew's but please, look it up and read the entire account.)

 

"When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."

Luke's account ends with a cautionary note for each of us. While the devil may appear to relent, we need to keep up our guard because he is still watching and waiting for an opportune time.  Keeping up our guard means being in God's Word; be prepared for battle by following Jesus' example: "It is written." Notice also that part of the devil's temptation contains scripture as well.

Who do we say this is? The Child of God and Son of Man who is able to withstand physical temptation when hungry, material temptation that contained promises of power, and finally, spiritual temptation which involved testing his own safety and the promises of God Almighty.

My reflection on this leads to some conjecture; I believe that since the Trinity proclaimed Jesus as the Son through his Baptism, the temptations were taunting tests for Jesus and for each member of the Trinity.

1st temptation: bread-- (Holy Spirit Mother, are you going to provide for Jesus?)

2nd temptation: safety-- (Almighty Father, are you going to protect Your Son Jesus?)

3rd temptation: power--(Jesus, are you sure you don't want to prove who you are?)

Jesus withstood the testing. He had the fortitude and the foundation. Hallelujah! Jesus is the King of Kings! 

Almighty God, Thank You that You are who You say You are. Thank You, Jesus, for withstanding fierce temptation. We are grateful for Your goodness and Your example. Holy Spirit, we lack wisdom. Guide us in a closer walk and stronger relationship with You, Almighty God.  In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 

~Hebrews 13:8