Encounter: The Devil

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13 NASB

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, he was hungry. And the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

And he led him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to him, “I will give you all this domain and its glory, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I want. Therefore if you worship before me, it shall all be yours.” Jesus replied to him, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

And he brought him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written: ‘He will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you,’ and, ‘On their hands they will lift you up, so that you do not strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been stated, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And so when the devil had finished every temptation, he left him until an opportune time.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Because you were tempted and relied on your Father’s will and word, I can resist and rebuke temptation in your holy name. I do not have a Savior that doesn’t understand my struggle, what lures me away from God himself, for you have personal knowledge and experience—what a comfort that is. In the midst of a long fast, whether weakening your bodily stamina or strengthening your Spirit, you turned away from sin and embraced your Father. Now be with me as I face situations and circumstances that require strength and stamina; feed me with the Word, and show mercy when I fall.

In your saving name,

Amen.

Read all of 40 Days of Prayer at easter.crossings.church.