Thoughts for the Day

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.”’

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you”,

and

“On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’

Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Tests occur throughout our life, often starting with exams at school. After that is the driving test, or qualifications for work. Without testing we cannot know what has been learnt, neither can we know if we're ready to go on to the harder stuff. Even more importantly all testing requires a base-line, for example what have children already learnt when they start school?

If we think of this it helps us to understand why Jesus is tested at the start of his ministry. After his baptism by John the Baptist Jesus needed to make some decisions, and so he retreats to the desert to be alone with God, and it turns out, the Devil. (I'm not thinking of the devil as a cartoon character depicted in films, but perhaps the evil thoughts that can come to us, to test each of us). Jesus needs to decide how to carry out his mission. Should he use his power to change and manipulate the world? Should he be a warrior, which is the kind of Messiah most people thought they wanted? Or was he to be Isaiah's 'suffering servant' (Isaiah 53.1-10)

The tests that Jesus faced were personal for him alone, and so our testing times are personal to us. Lent is a time to re-evaluate our life and future - a time to check in with God, to give up some of our bad habits (which will test us), and make some good habits. We won't always succeed, but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can keep moving forward on this pilgrimage that is life.

Lord Jesus Christ,
as You were tested in the desert
and overcame Your temptations,
may we look seriously at our life this Lent
and make changes to destroy our bad habits.
Help us to embrace new habits
that will draw us closer to You.
When we struggle forgive us,
and send Your Holy Spirit to us
that we might become stronger in the future.
Amen.