Luke 4:9-13

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.

As we come to the final temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, read Luke 4:9-13.

It is fascinating to think about Jesus’ first 30 years on earth as he learned and explored the Scriptures that pointed to his coming and defined his identity. For the only person who never experienced a broken relationship with God the Father, reading Scripture must have been an intimate experience. It’s easy to imagine God speaking to Jesus through Scripture comforting him in the difficult revelations and strengthening him with knowledge of the overall rescue mission for which he was born. Jesus didn’t just study Scripture, he met God there.

So here in the wilderness when Satan attempts to trick Jesus into using the Scriptures to his own advantage, Jesus sees right through the subterfuge.

Think for a moment about what you are seeking when you read the Bible. Are you seeking information, explanations, a thought for the day? Or are you seeking to know God and experience Jesus? Share your thoughts with Jesus now being as honest as you can.

Read Luke 4:9-13 again.

The temptation is to test the promises of God through a contrived exhibition of the supernatural. If Jesus will leap from the top of temple (the very place Israelite legend says the Messiah will appear) and if he lands on the rocky ground below unscathed, the people will recognize that he is more than a mere human.

But Jesus knows that God rarely intervenes in human events in loud and flashy ways. In fact, the movement and activity of God is most often so subtle that without the eyes of faith it can be reasoned away.

This last temptation falls flat as Jesus continues to trust God for God’s will accomplished in God’s way.

For the final minutes of this time of meditation, get quiet and center yourself in the presence of Jesus. Breathe in his presence and breathe out any tension you are carrying.

When you are ready, consider these questions, taking time to discuss your thoughts with Jesus:

What might Jesus want you to learn from the story of his wilderness temptations?

What is Jesus calling you to do in response?

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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.