So tempting
What tempts you? For me cake or biscuits can always distract me from what I should be doing.
We all have things that will lead us from the straight and narrow. We have good intentions: to eat better, exercise more, spend more time with people, even read the bible or pray more… There are temptations to try to gain more power, without worrying about those who are trampled along the way; to make more money; to move up the ladder; to want the best…
Jesus is made a tempting offer
1The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. 2After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry. 3Then the devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to turn into bread.” 4Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say:`No one can live only on food.
People need every word
that God has spoken.’ ”
5Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. 6The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. The Scriptures say:
`God will give his angels
orders about you.
They will catch you
in their arms,
and you won’t hurt
your feet on the stones.’ ”
7Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, `Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’ ”
8Finally, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. 9The devil said to him, “I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship me.”
10Jesus answered, “Go away Satan! The Scriptures say:
`Worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’ ”
11Then the devil left Jesus, and angels came to help him.
Jesus is tempted with food, security and power – all gained easily and cheaply – or were they?
If Jesus had accepted any one of these offers, given in to any one of these temptations, where would we be? Because that would make Jesus just like us – and he came to save us, not join us.
Jesus faced temptation. But he came through it. He recognised the true paucity of what was being offered. All of these would be gained only by denying God’s way.
Food would be nice, Jesus must have been very hungry, but giving in to what the devil offered was missing the point. The food that we need in our lives is way more than that which fills our stomach. We need food for our souls as well, and grasping after easy pickings may still leave us spiritually starving. We should be looking for what God offers, not necessarily the easy option.
Surely asking God to care for him would be ok? The devil even quotes the bible, so it must be all right – mustn’t it? But that’s taking the attitude that I can do what I like, and God will look after me. Not so. God is not someone to be tested to see what clever tricks he can do, he is someone to be loved and followed.
And Jesus is offered power. Surely all this belongs to him anyway. Isn’t he God’s son? But at what cost is this power gained? “Selling your soul to the devil”, may appear to get you a lot, but it takes you away from God, and what you should be doing.
“Worship the Lord your God and serve only him”
That is the way to get on in life. Follow God, seek what he wants to do. Look to him – it’s what is truly satisfying.
Lord,
when we get tempted
to go the easy way,
to look for the wrong things,
to try and force your hand,
to serve ourselves;
may we remember you,
and the struggle Jesus had on our behalf.
May we worship you
and seek only to serve you
Pam's Perambulation 