Our scripture this week is Matthew 4:1-11.
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.
Matthew 4:8-11
Satan has tried a variety of things in order to lead Jesus astray – appealing to human hunger, the love we have for fame and attention, and the quest for money and power. Evil works deceptively, telling us God said it was alright, that we deserve the things it offers, that people are in our way. All this is an attempt to sabotage our relationship with God and others.
Jesus was as human as we are and susceptible to all our human wants and fears, but He never wavered in His faith or connection to the Father. He responded to every scriptural misquote the devil offered with a correct reading of God’s word. He didn’t let Satan win because He didn’t let him in!
We might think “Sure, it was easy for Him, the Chosen One” but it was not! If anything, it was harder. Jesus could have reasoned that as the Son of God the world owed Him something, that people should respect Him and that suffering was beneath Him – but instead He chose to obey God’s will for His ministry, even unto death. We need His strength and love in our lives to resist evil as He did.
Loving Lord, we ask for Your power to do right in our world, to prevent harm to others and live as You have taught us. Help us to see the path You have planned for our lives that we may be willing and energetic servants in Your kingdom. Amen.