You think you got it tough…
Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
Do you really know what it is like to be tempted to sin? When Jesus was tempted by the Devil it was worst that you will ever experience.
You might even think you haven’t sinned today or at least you haven’t done anything really that bad. Every day, even if we don’t realize it, we break more than one of God’s commandments. The worst thing about it is that we might not even realize how many times we have sinned each day.
Even the Apostle Paul had to admit that he sinned when he didn’t want to. He says in Romans, “So I fail to do the good I want to do. Instead, the evil I do not want to do, that is what I keep doing.” (Romans 7:19)
There is only one person who knows what it is like to be tempted more than we are. We will never have it as tough as he had it. That person was our Savior, our Substitute, Jesus, true Man and true God was tempted like we are but never once sinned in thought, word or deed.
He was very hungry and could have changed the stones into bread to prove that he was the Son of God, but he did not. He said NO to the devil’s temptation.
He could have jumped down from the temple and had angels save him, but he did not. He said NO to the devil’s temptation.
He could have bowed down to the devil and worship him, but he did not. He said NO to the devil’s temptation. He knew that he didn’t have to worship the devil. Jesus was the God of all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He only is to be worshipped.
Jesus our perfect substitute said No to every temptation. He did it for us. He did it in our place. What we could never do, he did. He overcame every temptation of the devil.
Heaven is our eternal home because Jesus said, NO! to every temptation.
Dear Jesus, thank you that you defeated the devil in your life and work. Thank you for strengthening us with your Word so that we may know your will and do it. When tempted, help us to turn to your Word for your continuing help to reject the devil’s empty lies. Thank you for covering us with your righteousness, as we grow closer to you. Amen.