Verse
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
— Matthew 4:1 tniv
Thought
We oftentimes pass over this verse and remember how it was said in the other Gospels. Notice carefully, Jesus was led INTO the wilderness TO BE tempted by the devil. Jesus' temptations were no accident. Clearly, the evil one wanted to derail Jesus' ministry before it began. But just as Jesus was crucified by evil people, it was also the plan of God (Acts 2:23). Jesus is tempted like we are so that we can know that God knows what it is like to be tempted. Yes, God knows all things, but for our sake, in Jesus, he chose to experience those things so that we can be sure he knows what it is like to be hungry, alone, abandoned, betrayed, tempted, belittled, mocked, ridiculed, denied, treated unfairly, and murdered. We know that God not only knows, but we know that God felt what it was like to be inside our world and face these horrors, so that we can go to him knowing we will receive grace and help and a sympathetic ear in our times of trouble (Heb. 2:14-18; Heb. 4:14-16).
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our sins just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us ... O Lord God, please deliver us, from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory. Forever! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
— Matthew 4:1 tniv
Thought
We oftentimes pass over this verse and remember how it was said in the other Gospels. Notice carefully, Jesus was led INTO the wilderness TO BE tempted by the devil. Jesus' temptations were no accident. Clearly, the evil one wanted to derail Jesus' ministry before it began. But just as Jesus was crucified by evil people, it was also the plan of God (Acts 2:23). Jesus is tempted like we are so that we can know that God knows what it is like to be tempted. Yes, God knows all things, but for our sake, in Jesus, he chose to experience those things so that we can be sure he knows what it is like to be hungry, alone, abandoned, betrayed, tempted, belittled, mocked, ridiculed, denied, treated unfairly, and murdered. We know that God not only knows, but we know that God felt what it was like to be inside our world and face these horrors, so that we can go to him knowing we will receive grace and help and a sympathetic ear in our times of trouble (Heb. 2:14-18; Heb. 4:14-16).
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our sins just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us ... O Lord God, please deliver us, from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory. Forever! Amen.
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2016. All rights reserved.
