A QUESTION WORTH PONDERING

 FEBRUARY  24, 2023

Matthew 4:1–11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.



Jesus is ready to begin his mission and ministry. At his baptism he has just heard the benediction of the voice from heaven, “This is my beloved Son. In him I am well pleased!” With a lineage like that, as God’s beloved Son, what more does one need?

Reading our today’s Bible passage, it is little wonder, that almost in the next breath after the heavenly announcement, the devil appears to test Jesus, as if to say, “You’ve got it all. Go for it. Just trust yourself!” But “what if?” What if that trust is misplaced? As John the Baptist will later push Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). Our Matthew 4 reading above, emphasizes for us that with each challenge the Devil presents to the Beloved Son of God, Jesus refuses the bait and reaffirms and restates his trust in God and God’s word.

Jesus’ example is certainly a model for us to ponder in our day to day journey. Perhaps this is the question we all need to answer, 

“When all the “what if’s” come our way,

 in what or in whom will we place our trust?

Who will be our God?

Who will we trust to see us through this journey?

Who has loved us and blessed us and sent us on our way?

Who has pointed us toward the path
and posted the signs we need to find our way?

Will you choose this day to stay faithful to the One who is faithful to us?
Will you choose this day to place your whole trust in the One who is trustworthy?

  

 

LET US PRAY

God of promise, when temptations come to place our trust in ourselves or in the world around us, teach us to follow our Lord’s example and place our trust securely in God's word and the promises of God. Amen.