Temptation Scripture Saturation

Almost all day Saturday, I spent saturation in the Scripture revealing our Lord’s temptation. 

There are of course, three temptations:

1. The first is physical, yes, the devil tempted Jesus to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way. Jesus rebuked and resisted. 

2. The second is emotional, more like sensational, as the deceiver tempted Jesus to show off and to be spectacular. Jesus rebuked and resisted.

3. Finally, the third seems spiritual, even somewhat political, as the enemy presents our Lord an exchange option of sorts — to trade His Throne of eternal legitimate authority, for the devil’s throne of temporary illegitimate authority. Jesus rebuked and resisted.

Either way, the three temptations all have a common thread, indeed, the heart of the temptation seems to be; “Forget Who You are and take a shortcut. Don’t wait on God’s plan to be revealed. Just do it Your own way.”

Thank you Jesus, that instead of folding to the enemy’s temptations, You actually foiled his schemes. Let Your power reign in us in the hour of temptation that we might also rebuke and resist the enemy with Your Word and Worship Almighty God, alone. Amen. 

Here’s the passage below. (I may preach on it Sunday morning in Pennsylvania. Deo Volente — Whatever God Wants!)

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do 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, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’ ” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’ ” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:1-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis