Jesus Thoughts

Do you recall the temptation of Jesus? Before Jesus started His ministry, Scripture tells us He was led into the wilderness.

Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2 There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. (Luke 4, CEB) 

What would you want if you were starving?  

3 The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

4 Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread.” (Luke 4, CEB)

Food and nourishment is a good thing, and yet here, it is used as a temptation. We don’t even have to stop at food, although that is often a weakness. Think about how often we tell ourselves if we only had a little more, a little more time, a little more money.

5 Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”  (Luke 4, CEB)

What if we had a little more power or control? What if everything in life went the way I wanted it to go? We often tell ourselves then we will know peace.

9 The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you 11 and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”

12 Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.” 13 After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity. (Luke 4, CEB)

How much of our time do we spend focused on our health? When our bodies are exactly right, then we will have peace and know happiness. We often become weary finding physical ways of being whole.

Can’t we relate to all of these temptations, or lies we tell ourselves? Are we always fighting the Devil when our thoughts go away from God’s truth? No. And yet, it is a great reminder the Devil likes to use our minds and our thoughts. Don’t we find it easier to dwell on the negative, searching for all the reasons we have messed up or shouldn’t be loved?  

Let us remember what Jesus did. He replaced the lies the Devil told Him with God’s truth.

You are loved! You matter! God is at work in your life!

Blessings,

Pastor Matt