DEVOTION: Matthew 4:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Temptation of Jesus
4 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.
Have you ever wondered what the point of this was? Why did Jesus subject himself to all this? Why did he make himself vulnerable and so very uncomfortable?
The answer is very simple. He did it all for you! He suffered every single thing a human could suffer so that you wouldn't have to. He was tempted in every way and defeated every temptation, because he knew that, in your sinful nature, you wouldn't. He suffered hunger for all of those who would suffer hunger. He lived homeless for all those who would live homeless. He did it all for you, for me, for everyone.
The next time you are tempted, think about how the Lord Jesus has faced every temptation for you and won. The next time you are worried about going hungry or homeless realize that Jesus suffered that ultimately for you and you need not fear. The next time Satan gets the best of you and you fall into temptation, realize that even though you fall, Jesus doesn't! He has destroyed the power of the devil forever!
You may suffer for a little while. You may go through some pretty tough things. Remember that none of these are forever. They are only temporary because of Jesus. Your eternal life is because of Jesus! Everything is because of Jesus!
Prayer: Thank you for doing everything for us. Amen.
CALENDAR
Thurs- Alzheimers Support group 1pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Basement reserved 1pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen 11- Sarah Cluver
Ushers- Sun- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder
Altar- Sun set up and clean up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Randy Sweet, 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay Readers- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Sandy Robine
Piano- Barb Dreyer