Image from sermons.logos.com
Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/4hYDWS8
View devo: https://bit.ly/41ngF5l
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-13 NIV)
Happy Fat Tuesday, dear Friend! If you don't know what that is, I don't either. I think it's a permission-free day to overload on the things you're about to give up for Lent. New Orleans may have invented it, but I'm not sure. I looked it up and NOLA calls it Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, which is a day for overdoing it on the rich, fatty foods that you will be giving up during Lent. Like I shared in yesterday's devotional, I was introduced to "giving up" as an elementary student in Kingsville. It was a close friend who hung around with me, and he showed a bit later than usual with a huge black smudge on his forehead. I immediately thought it was mud, because mud at that age was very near and dear to my heart and face and all parts that should be clean. It made for some horrifying Sundays for Mom. But my friend said very of factly, "It's not mud, it's ash." "Ash? Where did you get ash?" "From my priest.." "When?!" "This morning at mass." "Wait. What? Mass this morning? On a Wednesday?" "Yes, it's Ash Wednesday and we had to write down what we were giving up for Lent and I gave up candy." I dared not voice my complete meltdown of such an absurd thing! But I had to ask what exactly did giving up candy mean? He said like no candy. Zero. Zilch. Nada. For. Forty. Days. I could count that high but wondered why I would have to when it came to no candy? He said it was something about being spiritual. I only heard something about being heathen or pagan and a torture I had never heard of. The example for fasting is biblical. The first mention comes in the book of Judges 20:26 and it was a spiritual discipline of giving up food in order to focus more on the spiritual. Later, in Houston, we talked about fasting in my youth group and I decided I would go for 24 hours without food; which is like being a member of a famous tabacco family and annoucing to grandpa that I no longer would smoke for it was bad for my health. But after I had resolved to give up food and replace it with prayer, I came home and finding the boys' dorm (I shared a room with my two younger brothers), I knelt by my bed and began to pray. As I prayed, the aroma of my favorite, of course, food wafted into the room. In my closed eyes mind, I could see the aroma ghost of my mother's tacos taking shape in the kitchen and floating ever so seductively towards and then under my door. It may have done a delicious, seductive dance, but my eyes were closed and I could not see it, but I did feel it tap on my shoulders. Darn it, tacos! And then I hear my Mom's familiar yell for all to come and eat. What do I do now, thought I? I'm praying, I can't answer! Mom sent my brother to check. Keep in mind I was keeping yesterday's passage in my heart and didn't wnat to make any scene of glory for myself as I prayed. I stopped praying long enough to tell my brother that I was not eating. That is as believable as some of the things on the news today. My brother goes back and announces that ridiculous statement to all in the kitchen and then Dad himself comes into the room. "Why aren't you eating?" This was serious news to the Valverde familia in Houston. I had to break my fast long enough to say that I was fasting; which only invited more investigation as to my mental, emotional, and spiritual state. Did I mention, or do I have to, that fasting was not common practice in the Familia Valverde at that time or ever.
In this passage we witness Jesus facing the wilderness; a place known for its geography and role in spiritual formation, think the Exodus, and how it took forty years for God to form a people as they trekked across it. But as Jesus was led into it, He was not so much worried about the physical reality of the place as He was the spiritual realities of His preparation for the start of His ministry. He would come face to face with the devil, who would throw difficult temptations His way. And these were well timed; for they arrived when Jesus was at His weakest. Jesus did not eat anything for forty days, and He is very hungry. The first temptation was focused on that hunger; turn these stones into bread. Jesus responds not of His own strength but on His reliance on God's word. Jesus replies that "Man shall not live on bread alone."The next two temptations finds the devil presenting an invitation to abandon the Father’s plan and take an easier, quicker route to power, fame, and comfort. The devil first tempts Jesus to satisfy His physical hunger by turning stones into bread. He then tempts Him with authority and worldly glory, offering all the kingdoms of the world. Finally, the devil encourages Jesus to test God’s protection by throwing Himself off the temple. In each instance, Jesus responds with Scripture, using the truth of God's Word to resist temptation.
Lent is a time when we reflect on our own struggles with temptation. Jesus' time in the wilderness teaches us that, like Him, we can overcome temptation not through our own willpower, but through the strength that comes from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Temptations may arise in many forms, but God’s Word equips us to stand firm. Just as Jesus relied on God’s truth in His weakest moments, we too can turn to Scripture for strength and guidance when faced with trials.
In our own wilderness experiences—when we are hungry for fulfillment, tempted by worldly success, or driven to test God’s promises—we can remember Jesus' example. He teaches us that God’s Word is not just a set of rules, but the life-giving truth we need to endure and remain faithful.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, as an example of how to live faithfully, even in the face of temptation. As we journey through this season of Lent, help us to rely on Your Word as Jesus did. When we face the wilderness of temptation, may we stand firm in the truth of who You are and what You have promised. Teach us to live by Your Word and not by our own desires. Strengthen us through Your Spirit to resist the lies of the enemy and remain steadfast in our walk with You. In Jesus' strong name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: As you reflect on the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, think about your own struggles and how you can counter them with Scripture. Choose one verse this week that speaks to a specific temptation or challenge you are facing, and memorize it. When temptation arises, remind yourself of the truth of God’s Word and allow it to guide you through the wilderness.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
