“It is written”
Scripture reading for March 7: Luke 4
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, He was hungry. The devil said to him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.'” Luke 4:1-4
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended on Him and God confirmed His Sonship and pleasure. The Holy Spirit then led Jesus into the wilderness for a forty day period of testing. These forty days mirrored the forty years of Israel’s testing in that same wilderness and the forty days of taunting by Goliath. During these forty days of isolation in the Judean wilderness, Jesus ate no food. He voluntarily fasted and purposely drew near to His Father and meditated on His Word. The power and comfort of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual manna of God’s Word provided all that was needed for Jesus to maintain strength and health.
It is recorded that after the forty days, Jesus was hungry. At this point, the devil called out to Him with a taunt: “If You are the Son of God . . .”. The devil was tempting Jesus to use His position and supernatural power to meet His need in contradiction to God’s Word: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” (“but by every Word that comes from God’s mouth.” Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus chose to live by God’s Word and refuse the devil’s suggestion. Unlike the Israelites, Jesus did not succumb to Satan’s temptation. Unlike the Israelites who cowered for forty days because of Goliath’s taunts, Jesus stood on God’s Truth. Jesus’ world view put God first and not His own needs or desires. His fasting and focus brought God’s Word out of His mouth.
Have you or are you currently going through a time of testing? Are you currently filled with the Holy Spirit or just depending on your own strength? What priority does God’s Word have in your handling of this testing? How does this passage give you tools to help you overcome all temptations and fear?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for testing our faith and trust in You and Your Word. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Father’s Gift, to empower each person to draw near to God and meditate on His Word. Bring overcoming power to each one going through testing that they may declare: “It is written!” Amen!
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