First Sunday in Lent 2011
March 13, 2011 by Lillie
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. ~ Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)
Lord, Jesus was God Incarnate, yet rather than using his omnipotent power to resist Satan, He used Scripture. Help me to know Your Word and hide it in my heart so that when temptation comes, I can say to Satan, “It is written …” In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
My mother-in-law is festing, till the 19th! lol .. shes is hating it. But good for her.
gary,
Fasting is supposed to be a discipline that isn’t necessarily pleasant in itself but giving us an opportunity to focus on the spiritual rather than the physical.
I always forget lent and usually only remember the day before when my mother calls me to remind me. Luckily though, this year I was on a vegan diet and didn’t have to worry about not eating meat, I already wasn’t.
Michael,
In my Christian tradition, Lent is not necessarily about fasting from meat. I am fasting from reading secular books and concentrating on books that will enrich my spiritual life.
Lord Jesus, your word is the most effective weapon i have to use against the devil at times of trials and temptations. I earnestly ask for the grace to study your word everyday so as to become an overcomer in my christain race.Amen.
Stevenson,
All I can in response to your comment is “Amen!”