On Temptation & Suffering: Luke 4
BIBLE PASSAGE
Luke 4:1-13 NASB
[1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness
[2] for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.
[3] And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
[4] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'”
[5] And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
[6] And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
[7] Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”
[8] Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'”
[9] And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here;
[10] for it is written, ‘He WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,’
[11] and, ‘On their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'”
[12] And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'”
[13] When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
ANALYSIS & THOUGHTS
During times of temptation and suffering it’s helpful to remember the responses of Christ to the devil in Luke 4:
1) Man shall not live on bread alone
2) You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only
3) You shall not put the Lord your God to the test
Thoughts on each:
1) Food and water may fill a man’s stomach, but it is much more important what fills a man’s soul. Death through sin has been imputed on us all because of what dwells in our natural hearts.
2) Is what we do during these times glorifying to God or is it worshipping something else? Money, influence, earthly gratification & pleasure—none are worthy of replacing what we find in Him.
3) God created you and has provided you with everything you have. You are not your own. Don’t insist on God owing you an outcome—we’ve been given far more than we deserve. Instead, seek to do His will.
APPEAL TO GOD
Father,
May we seek you and worship you alone in these days. May our hearts be intently set on Your will and Your word. Instill in us that which we lack to more fully glorify your name unto the world around us.
All glory, honor, and praise belong to You—the Almighty Creator and Cultivator of our hearts.
Amen.