February 29th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)
Matthew's account of Jesus' temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,
'One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 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.' "
Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "


Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
'Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.' "
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Reflection
We all experience temptation, especially in the deserts of our lives when we are there for a long time. As the Israelites experienced temptation after the Red Sea passage, Jesus goes into the wilderness to experience temptation.

The Israelites were tempted by food and bellyached about the manna a temptation of the body. At Massah the Israelites demanded a sign from God and finally as Moses was on the mountain the Israelites were tempted with the golden calf. Jesus also experienced similar temptations, but he came through sinless. Jesus knows the power of temptation and this knowledge gave him the ability to move into his next steps in a ministry that would save the world and all lives. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, when I'm tempted in those desperate times, give me the strength I need to see your glory and your reaction to temptation. When I fail, may I humbly come into your presence to repent and seek forgiveness that I may experience the joy of your salvation. --- Amen