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1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you,' and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' " 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' " 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NRSV)
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the traditional start of Lent, the forty days of spiritual preparation that leads us into a deeper understanding of Jesus' passion and resurrection. Your church will certainly be planning a celebration of that special day and the blessings of attending such are awesome.
Sunday brings us the first Sunday of this period. The scripture is the one above and it deals with the temptation of Jesus. It is a well known passage but the more we study it the more we learn. You ready, Friend?
Fasting is a key component of this forty day preparation period. Fasting means giving up a physical nourishment and replacing it with a spiritual practice or discipline. For example, instead of having a Coke or Pepsi, one drinks water and while drinking it reads a passage or two from the Bible. The trusting in God and Heavenly things makes one stronger spiritually. Jesus observed a very strict fast, where He did not eat nor drink anything for forty days and nights. The entire forty day and night period was spent in prayer and reflection and the nourishment that came from heaven. Others have followed that example, including Gandhi and Cesar Chavez. The latter suffered to the point where his health declined and he died shortly after his last 40 day fast. The greatest need in Jesus' life when He finished His fast was hunger. Nellie and I had the privilege of walking in the same wilderness where Jesus fasted and water is plentiful there but there is no food source other than stones whose shapes are similar to breads of the time. So, naturally, the tempter chooses the obvious. "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Feed yourself by using your superpowers! Prove that You are indeed the Son of God. But not so, Jesus replies, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" The devil knows Scripture.
The second perceived weakness is to place the Son of God at the highest point of the Temple and to tempt His trust in His Father. "Throw Yourself down because "He will command His angels concerning You; nothing shall harm You." Jesus replies, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
The third point is to tempt the Son of God as to Who really rules the world. "All of these I will give You, if you fall down and worship me." Jesus replies, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him." Temptation over. Jesus 1. Devil 0. Angels come down and wait on Jesus.
Our Lord always wins. Jesus sets the model for us in all that He did while on the earth. He began His earthly ministry with prayer and fasting. Our Lenten journey should include our deep commitment to prayer and fasting, as well as a deep trust in God. The more we know God's word the more we know about God and what God can do for us. Jesus modeled that. His trust came from His knowledge of God. Lent will provide that time for us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as we approach the start of this special time, help us prepare in all ways for a closer walk with You. Strengthen our weak spots and make bright the parts that are weak. We seek to know You better by knowing what Your Son did for us during His passion. We pray in His name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Lent is not so much about what we give up as it is what we take up that will bless us spiritually.
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
