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Here’s
Pastor Karen’s meditation for today.
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"Good
morning!
Jesus is experiencing temptation in the wilderness in our Luke reading today. He is having a conversation with the devil. Our Lord hasn’t eaten in 40 days as the Spirit has led him into the wilderness to be tempted. He is famished! And the devil says, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answers, “It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” So the devil tries again. He shows Jesus in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. The devil says, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answers, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” The devil tries one last time to tempt Jesus, in His vulnerable state. This time the devil quotes scripture! He places Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple, and says to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ “ Jesus answers, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Jesus models for us what we should do when we are tempted to sin: we should quote God’s Word! Scripture tells us if we hide God’s Word in our hearts, it will keep us from sinning. We can’t quote scripture, however, if we haven’t first learned it and learned it well. If you are reading the Bible every day—just a little at a time is fine!—and you are worshiping with your church on Sunday and hearing the word read and preached, then you are learning it well. Our other defense against temptation? Be filled with the Holy Spirit! The Lord will keep us walking on the right paths—if we ask Him to show us the way and keep us on the “straight and narrow.” Will you pray with me? Holy God, you are awesome! Thank you for providing all we need through Your Word and Spirit! Thank you for offering Your forgiveness for all sin through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We recommit ourselves and our lives to you today and to worshiping and serving ONLY You. Help us, Lord, to resist temptation by relying on Your Spirit for strength and keeping our hearts and minds pure by being bathed regularly in Your Word. Forgive us when we have given in to temptation and failed to resist the devil, whom we do not have to fear. Jesus Christ has overcome the world and the powers and principalities of darkness. We are safe, forever in Your grasp. Forever in Your presence. In Christ we pray. Amen. Today’s readings are Esther 6:1-14; Acts 19:1-10; Luke 4:1-13; and Psalm 119:97-120. Blessings in Christ! Pastor Karen |
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