... And It's Only Day Ten...

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

For many Christians, Lent is a season in which there is reflection, contemplation, and fasting. Here at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, we are also very aware of Lent as a season of testing and temptation. On Sunday Pastor Sam spoke on the temptation of Jesus. The account is recorded in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.

Speaking personally, I can say this is a very different Lent for me. In past years I’ve done all the externals of Lent: had ashes imposed by my colleagues at a liturgical church in the city, fasted, did lectionary readings, attended special services. Those things were all helpful. But, in all my years as a Christian, this is the first time that I’ve engaged Lent deeply conscious of the struggle to remain faithful to God in the face of a season of temptation.

How about you? Have you considered the depths and subtleties of the temptations Jesus faced at the launch of His earthly ministry, and of the temptations we face today? This week we’ll reflect on some of the things our pastor shared on Sunday. For today, let’s take time to read both Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts (included below).

Lord God, we recognize that You allow us to pray “Lead us not into temptation…”, and we ask You that today. Please deliver us from the evil one. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.