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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 New International Version of The Bible)
Happy, Marvelous Monday, ConCafe Family. May the devil quake as you awaken today because he knows you, Friend, have been in the presence of God and he trembles because you mean business! Let us continue to be people of prayer as we pray for one another, for the needs of the world, for the needs of our brothers and sisters, and for our own needs. Prayers of comfort for the family of Mr. John David Boothe, who passed away this past Thursday.
This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. Let me remind you that this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Many churches will be celebrating special Ash Wednesday services with the imposition of ashes. So, let us start the 40 Day journey now.
The gospel lesson for this coming Sunday is from Luke, the gospel commonly known as the universal gospel because it is more inclusive of Gentiles, women, and other cultures. It was written by a Gentile, Luke, who was believed to be a physician. He also wrote the Book of Acts, which were originally one volume, but later separated into two separate volumes.
Our story is about Jesus in a very key part of His ministry and journey. We join Him just after His baptism, where He was filled with the Holy Spirit and then led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was to spend forty days and forty nights in prayer and fasting. On Ash Wednesday, many Christians give up things that nourish in exchange for spiritual things. For example, some will give up a meal at lunch and spend that time in prayer or reading and reflection, and is thus blessed with the spiritual blessings that have come by giving up that meal. Some give up soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and the like, in order to make those as sacrfices to increase their spiritual awareness and blessings.
Jesus gave up all food and water for the time He spent in the wilderness. Jesus' companion for this time was Satan himself, who tormented Jesus. Since he knew Jesus had not eaten anything the first temptation was to tempt Jesus into turning stones into bread. This was a logical temptation, hunger is a strong force but Jesus is stronger. His response was to quote Scripture, "Man shall not live on bread alone." The devil then takes Jesus to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. The offer? The devil said he would give to Jesus all the authority and splendor them. All Jesus had to do was to worship him. Jesus, again quoting scripture says, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'" The devil then takes Jesus to Jerusalem and had Jesus stand on the highest point of the temple. The devil says, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that You will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Again, Jesus answers by quoting His book: "It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Jesus 3, Satan 0. The devil leaves Jesus "until an opportune time."
As we begin this forty day journey, most of us know that the road is dusty. Even our best attempts to be holy and clean during this time will result with dirt, dust, and sin on us. Thus the very reason Jesus came to be among us and to die for us. Our goal is to know Jesus more and to allow Him to know us more. In fact, the best we can do is to allow us to know us better; to be honest with ourselves in ways that can better our walk with Jesus. What are our true hungers that make or can make us, weak? What are the powers we seek that could make us richer or famous that could work against us? And who do we truly worship? It is God? Or, are we seeking ways to worship ourselves? Jesus' main focus was then, and always will be, centered on God. Jesus rose above hunger, above the quest for power and splendor, and above making Himself the focus of worship; God remains God.
PRAYER: Loving God of the Journey, guide us and bless us as we prepare to journey with You down the dusty road of Lent. May the days leading us to Ash Wednesday and then into Lent, be those which reveal to us our greatest needs and may we surrender those needs to You so that we may know and love You more. In Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show others that you can rise above weaknesses.
Receive my blessings of hope and joy,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
