Genesis 2:7-9;3:1-7
Psalm 51
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
If You are the Son of God…
How many times I’ve read and heard interpretations on the temptations of Jesus! This time, a couple of things struck me. First, was that I had always focused on the temptations and not on Jesus’ responses, responses that came from his heart, a heart wrapped in prayer. Evil tried to poke holes in his spirituality but couldn’t. I know when I’m experiencing temptation, all the reasons why I “shouldn’t” do whatever don’t cut it. Only some deep conviction, some non-negotiable can pull me through it. The other thing that struck me was that he kept saying, “If you are the Son of God…”, as if trying to get Jesus to prove it. Later, on the cross, this temptation comes again, “If you are the Son of God, come down off that cross,” or again, “…save yourself and us!” Wow! Even thinking of saving others can be a temptation if it’s not what God wants me to do. I imagine then, that the only way to stand strong, or even get back up again when I’ve fallen, is to focus just on what God’s plan is for me today. It’s that simple…and that difficult.
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