By John Guest
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Sacrifice, hardship, and endurance are key words for faith and life. We grow up learning about the miracle of Jesus’ entrance on earth. Through suffering, death, and resurrection, He clarified true love and redeemed all people for all time. Whether teaching, praying, suffering, or rebuking, Jesus used simple words fueled by love.
Consider the sacrifice and miracle of His testing in the desert at the beginning of His adult ministry. Matthew 4:1-11 records Jesus’ endurance and purpose, which couldn’t be better-suited for today’s family. Where Satan laid traps, Jesus built altars; where Satan dug graves, Jesus built ramparts for us to stand confident.
In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul confirms that Jesus sacrificed heaven to personally deliver a message of love and redemption from His father. Jesus directed John the Baptist to baptize Him, humbly ordering Himself under the Father’s plan. Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested. Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit were “in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-3) in all of these instances.
After fasting forty days in the desert, Jesus was hungry and likely tired. Enter Satan. The deceiver tempted Jesus with three things we typically pursue and don’t easily sacrifice: provision (food and rest), purpose (significance in life), and protection (safety and security). Jesus didn’t allow His mission to be compromised by Satan’s temporary solutions. Instead, He stiff-armed temptation by speaking the Word.
Why would Jesus sacrifice and submit to so many hardships? To deliver hope, redemption, and a love relationship the world had never known before; a relationship He invites us to experience daily with a small sacrifice of time and humility.
Pray with me…
Father, thanks for the gift of sacrifice and miracle of Jesus. Build a little more faith in me today. Help me trust that You know exactly what I need and You never stop moving in love toward me and for my family’s best. Amen.