Matthew 4:5-7
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say 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.
Today’s passage looks at the second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. If you haven’t already, read Matthew 4:1-4 and then read Matthew 4:5-7 a couple of times noticing any thoughts or questions that arise.
Having failed at coercing Jesus into rejecting God’s care and meeting his own physical needs, Satan now attempts to appeal to the desire to be special and noticed by others. If Jesus will perform a spectacular, death-defying act, people will be amazed, and Jesus will increase his fan-base.
But Jesus’ identity and confidence are firmly rooted in his relationship with God the Father. In knowing God, Jesus knows himself and is able to calmly reject the allure of popularity. And he also knows the Scriptures.
Contemplate the words of God through the prophet Isaiah regarding the Messiah for a moment:
“He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.” – Isaiah 53:3
Share any thoughts or feelings with Jesus before moving on.
Now read Matthew 4:5-7 again.
We all have a deep desire to be noticed and particularized, and that desire is not evil in and of itself. It only becomes evil when we seek to have the desire met by the wrong source.
The first humans sought to satisfy their desires apart from God, and the chosen people of God repeated this mistake over and over. Where all others failed, Jesus prevailed.
For the last minutes of this time of reflection, share openly and honestly with Jesus about your desire to be special and noticed. Then get quiet and listen.
God knows you completely and loves you completely. The love of God is the one source that can satisfy your deepest longings.
If you remain rooted in a loving relationship with Jesus and allow God to reveal who you are and who you were meant to be, over time you’ll develop a calm confidence that keeps you centered and protects you from the pull of popularity.
If you sense that you need to do something to strengthen your relationship with Jesus, take action today.
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