Day 11
Title: Jesus triumphed over temptation!
Reading: Matthew 4: 5-7
v. 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again,‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Jesus was in the wilderness praying and fasting. His earthly body was tired and hungry. The devil took the opportunity to tempt Him. (Matthew 4:1-2) The devil tempted Jesus to use His power to prove Himself as the Son of God. The devil knew Jesus had the power to turn the stones into bread since He needed food for His body’s nourishment, (v.4). The devil also tempted Jesus to test God’s ability to protect Him. The devil knew Jesus could call on His angels if He was in danger or needed protection (v.5-7).
Jesus once again answered the devil with the Word of God.
Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” (v.7)
Jesus first of all knew who He was. He was the Son of God. The devil knew that too. But the devil wanted to try and tempt Jesus to use His power as the Son of God. When Jesus was still on the earth, though He was fully God, He was fully human too. He chose to limit Himself to live like other men. Like any other person, He needed food and water to nourish His body. Jesus needed shelter and protection from the elements. Jesus, though He was fully man, was also secure in His identity and His relationship with the Father.
Jesus knew He could use His power to turn the stones into bread. Jesus knew He had the power to ask God to send His angels if He needed help, protection or safety. However, Jesus did not take advantage of the power He had. Jesus knew who He was, the Son of God. Jesus knew His Father God loved Him very much and would always be there to help Him when He called upon Him. However, He also knew the written Word of God as He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 in the Old Testament:
16 “You shall not [d]tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.
Yes, Jesus knew He was the Son of God and God loved Him. Jesus knew God would help Him anytime He asked and called upon Him. However, Jesus knew also that He did not need to put Himself in a dangerous situation like jumping off the pinnacle of the temple and expecting the angels to rescue Him as the devil had tempted Him to do. (v.5-6)
Reflection:
Jesus knew He was the Son of God. As a follower of Jesus, I am also a child of God. God and Jesus love me and are taking care of me. I know I can always call upon the Lord Jesus when I need help. However, I should not put myself into a dangerous situation, expecting God to help me. The Lord God gives us wisdom and the Holy Spirit gives us power not to put ourselves into situations where we can be tempted or be vulnerable to sin and temptation. The Lord God gave us His written Word to resist the devil.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please help me to be strong in the spirit and to have Your wisdom to resist the temptations of the evil one.
Your Thoughts:
Your Prayer:
Bible reading from Bible Gateway
The Creels' Catch 