Let Us Hold Fast Lenten Devotional from Luther Seminary - Thursday, March 6 - Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus’ identity, strength and authority are suddenly tested in a quick succession of encounters with Satan and his wily powers of deception. As is so often the case with temptations, these encounters come when Jesus is most vulnerable—alone, needy and unproven in his newly announced calling. Furthermore, the trickery in the tests is primal and powerful, simultaneously raising doubts concerning God’s promises and appealing to purposes that can be good in and of themselves: “feed yourself, feed the world; generate a public spectacle, demonstrate God’s power for all to see; and here’s political leadership, use it to free your people and save the world.” Recognizing and resisting temptation is neither simple nor easy. In the third temptation, the evil one tips his hand: “All these I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.” In temptation there is always a price to be paid. With evil the price is costly: This will, in the end, cost you your allegiance to God, your freedom and your life. The ways of evil are pathways to death. Prayer: Gracious God, in my times of testing, keep me in conversation with others in the community of faith, give me the wisdom to discern truth from deception and send your Spirit to solidify my trust in your promises.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 23:49:35 +0000
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