The Temptation of Jesus

The Gospels report that after Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist He went into the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. The three-part temptation is told in Matthew 4 and Luke

4. Jesus was hungry, and the devil suggested, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Jesus replied with a verse from Deuteronomy, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

In this He was resisting the temptation to be a sort of wonderworker. The devil then took Him (in a vision, perhaps) to the highest point of the temple and said, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.”

The devil then quoted the Bible to the effect that angels would protect Jesus. Jesus replied that God was not to be put to the test this way.

Then, from a high mountain, the devil showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Jesus replied, quoting Scripture, “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.”

By resisting the temptation to be a wonder-worker or a worldly king, Jesus proved He was fit to be the world’s Savior.

In a sense He undid the temptation of Adam and Eve, who yielded to the temptation to be godlike and powerful.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Rope of Prayer

David Jeremiah

Daniel was a man who communicated with heaven. He prayed fervently, consistently, and for the will of God. He knew nothing of praying only before meals, at bedtime, and when he really needed God’s help.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Initiative Against Depression

Oswald Chambers

A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. There are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Inspiration of Spiritual Initiative

Oswald Chambers

When the inspiration of God does come, it comes with such miraculous power that we are able to arise from the dead and do the impossible thing. God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Determination To Serve

Oswald Chambers

The mainspring of Paul 's service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ. Paul's realization of how Jesus Christ had dealt with him is the secret of his determination to serve others.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

What God’s Love Can’t Do

Billy Graham

God cannot forgive the unrepentant sinner. The human race is called on throughout the Bible to repent of sin and return to God. This love of God can be entirely rejected. God will not force Himself upon any man against his will.