March to the Cross: Monday March 15, 2021

Monday, March 15, 2021 Jesus: Tempted King

Focus: Jesus was led by the Spirit into to the wilderness to be tempted for 40 days, in which He prevailed by speaking God’s powerful word.

Today’s verses: Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

James 4:7-8 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

I cannot imagine not eating for 40 days. The hunger and exhaustion from the lack of food for this long seems impossible to endure, yet our Lord Jesus did it. I don't want this time of temptation to go by without recognizing yet another thing Jesus did on behalf of me and my sin. We know Jesus is God but at this point He was part man as well so I have to believe He felt as deprived as anyone of us would be. On top of that , He had Satan in His ear tempting Him with offers that would be hard to refuse. Despite this, He held fast to the Father. Now, envision that hunger, thirst, as well as the emotional exhaustion of Christ during the 40 days in the wilderness. How do these physical limitations contribute to the power of God’s word when Jesus was tempted by Satan?

For further reading: Luke 4:1-15; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Heavenly Father, We see another sacrifice You endured on our behalf .We stand amazed at the lengths You went to for sinners who were/are not deserving of such sacrifice, yet You freely gave/give. Lord, how can we ever say thank You enough? Teach us to hold fast to Your word so we may walk closer to You. I pray as we continue this journey we learn more and more about the depths of Your love for us which grows our gratitude and pours out in adoration for You. Amen