Read Matthew 4:1-11

Read Matthew 4:1-11

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. ²After spending 40 days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. ³Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, order these stones to turn into bread.” ⁴But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’ ”

5 Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest point of the Temple, ⁶and said to him, “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says:

‘God will give orders to his angels about you;

they will hold you up with their hands,

so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’ ”

7 Jesus answered, “But the scripture also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

8 Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. ⁹“All this I will give you,” the Devil said, “if you kneel down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ”

11 Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.

Think

Having been baptized Jesus is led out to the desert to be tempted.  He resists the temptation by remembering the story of what God is doing in the world.  He lives into God’s story and not the story that the world is telling.

Pray

Lord, when the voices of the world speak too loudly; above them – let me hear your song, your melody, your story – and let me live by that.

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⁴ 4.4: Dt 8:3

⁶ 4.6: Ps 91:11, 12

7  4.7: Dt 6:16

10  4.10: Dt 6:13