Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/18

PASSAGE: Matthew 4 [1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

[5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple [6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” [7] Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

[8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10] Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” [11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

INSIGHT: For the next couple of days, we want to walk alongside of Jesus and see how he dealt with temptation. Because Jesus was totally dependent on his heavenly Father, he was free to say “no” to things that would lead him astray. Take some time today to read over the encounter that Jesus had with the devil in the beginning of his public ministry. Note how he deals with temptation.

PRAYER FOCUS: Be spiritually prepared. Pray for God’s strength to resist temptation – before it hits you this week.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: As you face temptations that would lead away from God this week, trust in the promise of God here in this passage. 1 Corinthians 10 [13] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.