Jesus is tested
From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 4, verses 1-13
When Jesus was baptized, God's Holy Spirit filled him up. (This happens to us, too, when we are baptized.) The Holy Spirit was very powerful. She moved around inside Jesus. She helped him begin to understand that God had important work for him to do. Jesus needed some time to figure out what that work might be and how he could do it, so he and the Holy Spirit went to a place where they thought they'd be alone. They went to a wild place.
Jesus stayed in the wild place for 40 days. During that time he did not eat. He also discovered that someone lived in the wild place. That someone was the Evil One. The Evil One watched Jesus for 40 days and 40 nights. The Evil One knew how very hungry Jesus was, so on the 41st day, he decided to test Jesus.
"Hello, Jesus," the Evil One said. "Word's out that you are the Son of God. That's pretty impressive. Let's see what you can do." Picking up a good-sized stone, the Evil One held it out to Jesus. "Go ahead," he said. "Turn this stone into a loaf of bread. Think how good it will taste."
Jesus looked at the stone. He thought about how wonderful a nice warm piece of freshly baked bread would taste. He looked at the Evil One. "It's tempting," he said, "but I know that it takes more than bread to feel really alive."
The Evil One was not put off. He was used to some people saying 'no' to his suggestions. He realized he'd have to try harder, so he took Jesus up to a high place and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth before Jesus. Flinging his arms wide and turning in a full circle, he told Jesus, "All of this can be yours. I will give you power over every single one of these places. People everywhere will praise and obey you. All you need to do is worship me, not God. Think about it, Jesus. All this can be yours. All you have to do is get down on your knees before me."
Jesus looked at what the Evil One had laid before him. Then he said, "I won't do it. I know I am supposed to worship and serve only God."
The Evil One stamped his foot in frustration. He realized that Jesus was going to be a hard nut to crack. He decided to try one more test.
The Evil One took Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem. He brought him to the Temple, the place where people worshipped God and felt especially close to God. He took Jesus up onto the roof of the temple and brought him to the very edge. Looking down, they saw an open courtyard, laid with flat stones. Hundreds of worshippers were gathered there. The Evil One put his arm across Jesus' shoulders and pulled him close. Whispering in his ear he said, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. Go ahead - jump! You and I both know that God has got an army of angels protecting you. Surely they will catch you before you hit the ground. You'll be able to walk away without even stubbing your toe."
Jesus said to him, "And you and I also know that God is never to be tested."
The Evil One knew when to cut his losses, so he brought Jesus back to the wild place and left him there. But both he and Jesus knew he would try again another time.
Questions to ponder:
I wonder how the Holy Spirit is moving around inside of you.
I wonder if you have ever been in a wild place.
I wonder if you know the Evil One.
I wonder if the Evil One has ever tried to get you to do something you knew was wrong.
I wonder what that was like for you.