Worship into the Week-
Matthew 4:1-11
The Temptation of Jesus
I always find this story rather amazing
in that the setting and timing
is arranged by the Holy Spirit.
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
God the Father had a plan
for this challenge for His son.
A show down between Jesus and the devil.
Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones
into bread to satisfy his hunger.
Jesus recites Deuteronomy 8:3.
"Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that
comes for the mouth of God."
The devil takes him to Jerusalem to the pinnacle
of the the temple and snidely urges Jesus to throw
himself down- the angels would protect him.
And he recites Scripture to Jesus-Psalm 91:11-12.
Jesus replies-
that the Lord is not to be tested- Deut. 6:16.
Satan tries again-
taking Jesus to a very high mountain.
He offers Jesus all the kingdoms
of the world and their glory.
IF--Jesus will worship him.
Jesus sends him packing- "Be gone! Satan."
He closes the encounter quoting Deut. 6:13-
"You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve."
As the devil left,
then angels came to care for Jesus.
On tough days and in tough times,
it is comforting to know
that Jesus himself has tangled with the devil.
And Jesus himself knows
the journey of standing strong.
May the Holy Spirit meet each of us
in times of tempting
and give us the courage
to remand Satan to the desert.
Supplies:
Staples Gel pens
Watercolors
Junk mail
Magazine cutouts
Fine-point Sharpie pen
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