Hungry

Luke 4:1-13 (The Message)

Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.

The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: "Since you're God's Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread."

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to really live."

For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, "They're yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I'm in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they're yours, the whole works."

Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."

For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, "If you are God's Son, jump. It's written, isn't it, that 'he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone'?"

"Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'"

That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

A few minutes ago, it was just a little past lunch time.

I felt hungry. Really...I was ready to eat.

"Hungry" is a physical response. It's our body's way of letting us know that we need some attention. We need some fuel for the fire. It's a reality, a need.

Hungry leads to irritable. Irritable leads to trouble.

Now, it had been all of 4.5 hours for me since my last meal (I've since taken care of my hunger problem).

For Jesus, it had been 40 days.

40 days!

The devil played right upon that physical weakness. Jesus was hungry. And the devil tempted.

What Jesus teaches us is incredible.

In spite of the clear reality of his physical need, a bigger Truth overrides.

"It takes more than bread to really live."

This is only the second time in the Gospel of Luke that we've heard Jesus' voice. It's the first from him as an adult, baptized and about the work of his ministry.

From this beginning point, we learn what he is about.

...his father's business...more than bread...single-hearted worship...don't dare tempt...

The devil retreated temporarily...and waited. Weakness would come around again, but so would God's strength.

Prayer: May your strength be at work in our lives this afternoon, this evening...in our work and in our homes...and protect us from temptation.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 4:14-30