Worship into the Week- Temptation

 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:

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