JANUARY 23 | LUKE 4:1-15

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DAILY READING

Luke 4:1-15

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REFLECTION

TEMPTATION VS HOLY SPIRIT

“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Holy Spirit in the wilderness…Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.” Luke 4:1,14 (NLT)

We now see a few mountain-top moments in Jesus' life. The familiar story of Jesus staying behind in the temple, spending time in His Father’s house. And years later, the encounter with His cousin, John the Baptist who proclaimed, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16 (NLT)

Today our text’s focus is on Jesus’ temptation by Satan. I admit, I have only glossed over this story in the past. Maybe because I struggled to draw a parallel between Jesus’ temptation and my own. In my mind I know I dismissed this story because I couldn’t justify that Jesus could be tempted, really tempted. Arrogant, right? So, once again, knowing that Jesus never did anything without a reason and a lesson, it is necessary for us to dig into this story.

Below are a few (not in any particular order) lessons from this text.

· Jesus quoted Scripture to Satan to show how important it is for us to know the Bible. We need to do as Jesus did when temptation comes our way. When we know God’s word, we can throw it into Satan’s face.

· Jesus prepared for battle, he fasted and prayed before he went to war. He prepared for this season of temptation during the 40 days in the wilderness.

· We must rely on the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus did. “He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” (v.1)

· We also need the Holy Spirit to resist the powers of darkness. As Paul said in Romans 7:21: “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” (NLT) We need the Holy Spirit so we can recognize Satan as he prowls around looking for someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8) Remember, he masquerades as an angel of light.

· Satan had no power over Jesus, and we must remember, Satan has not power over us, except what we give him. We must walk by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)

· If we trust and obey Him, we will triumph

Jesus’ temptations were meant to prove our Savior is—God and Man.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your Word is so revealing and helpful in everyday living. Fill me with a desire to read and study everything Jesus taught us. Then show me how to equate these lessons with my life today. Come, Holy Spirit! Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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