Each of us face constant bombardment of messages and information from friends, family, work, media, internet, etc. How does a person stay sane and in their right mind? Let’s journey with Jesus in learning how to move from temptation to transforming lives.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days and was tempted by the devil. While fasting, he became hungry. The devil said, “If you are the Son of God tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.'” The devil showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and said, “I will give you all this domain and its glory since it has been handed to me, and I give it whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'” The devil led Him to the top of the temple to prove He was Son of God by throwing Himself down. The devil misquoted Scripture saying the angels would guard and protect him. Jesus said, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test'” (Lk. 4:1-12). Satan tempts you concerning who to trust (appetites versus His word), what you submit to (world versus God) and who you worship (self versus Holy Spirit). Our society is frantic with activities, but negligent with relationships, especially with God and His word.
When the devil finished every temptation, he departed until an opportune time (Lk. 4:13). Satan seeks vulnerable times when you desire pleasure to satisfy your flesh, seek power to accomplish selfish pursuits or pursue prestige to gratify your ego.
At the height of popularity, Jesus read Is. 61:1-2a in the synagogue where it says the Spirit empowered Him to preach the gospel to the poor (recognize sin), proclaim release to the captives (slave to sin and disease), recovery of sight to the blind (spiritually dead), set free the downtrodden (lost hope) and proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. The people scoffed, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”, when Jesus said this Scripture was fulfilled in their hearing. Jesus responded that “no prophet is welcome in his home town.” For example, Elijah was sent to a widow in Sidon, not Israel. Elisha cleansed Naaman the Syrian instead of lepers in Israel. Those in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard Christ speak (Lk. 4:14-30). Jesus heals and sets free those who recognize their need.
People in Capernaum, a city of Galilee, were amazed that Jesus’ teaching had authority. Jesus rebuked a demon in a man saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” People were amazed again and the news spread after the demon came out without doing any harm (Lk. 4:31-37). Jesus’ word has power to cast out demons.
Jesus rebuked the high fever in Simon’s mother-in-law. She arose immediately and served them. Jesus healed those with various diseases by laying His hands on them. Demons came out crying, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus rebuked them not allowing them to speak because they know Him to be the Christ (Lk. 4:38-41). Jesus’ word has power to heal diseases.
Jesus said His purpose was to preach the kingdom of God in various cities. Jesus received His power and marching orders during His alone times with God (Lk. 4:42-44). Receiving power to do what Jesus did comes from time alone with God.
Spending time with God in prayer and His word allows you to overcome temptation and do what Jesus did in preaching the gospel to those who recognize their sin, healing those enslaved by sin and disease, awakening the spiritually dead and giving new hope to those beaten down by life.
