Day 34: A Way Out
Lent is actually a 40-day season of the Church Calendar intended to reflect Jesus’ 40 days in the desert that we read about in today’s Scripture passage. It was during this time of extended prayer and fasting that Jesus faced temptation from the devil.
Note that Satan did not tempt Jesus at His baptism or in the Temple. He tempted Him in the desert, when he was alone, hungry, and tired. Satan often tries to tempt us when we are vulnerable. He knows it’s easier to get to us when we are under stress.
Satan tempted Jesus in 3 areas in which we all are commonly tempted: physical needs and desires; power and possessions; and pride. But Jesus came through every temptation as an overcomer.
Why did Jesus have to be tempted? It was a challenge to His humanity. Yes, Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully human. These temptations were very real and challenged Jesus at the core of who He was. And because He faced these temptations, He is able to understand how we feel when we are faced with temptation, and to sympathize with us.
In fact, He sympathizes with our struggle so much that He reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Are you facing a season of severe temptation in your desert journey? Take heart! You are not alone! God promises that He will provide an escape so that you can endure. Thank God for His promise. Ask Him to show you the way out that He has promised in His Word.
But
also note that, while the desert was the time of Jesus’ temptation, it was also
the time of His victory over Satan.
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