5th Day of Lent, March 10, 2025

In Satan’s overall rejection of God’s will and plan, he turned his attack toward his rejection of God’s son.  In that rejection, the devil tried to call into question the very nature of who Jesus is. 

“If you really are the son of God, prove it and give yourself some relief from those hunger pangs.  Oh, you’re not going to prove it because of Scripture?  Are you sure you really are the son of God?  Because Scripture says God will protect you from even hurting your foot.  Let’s see if He will. Oh, you won’t do that either, huh?  Well, since you’re so insistent that you ‘are’ the son of God, I’m sure you know the pain that’s in store for you before you can enter into glory and receive the kingdoms of the world.  Tell ya what.  We’ll skip all that pain, and if you’ll worship me instead of God, you can have all that glory as the King of Kings right now.”

All three options were significant temptations.  It wasn’t just about food, or comfort, or power; it was about whether all the struggle was worth it.  When we face temptations, albeit on a much lighter level than this, we face the same kind of question.  “Is avoiding this thing, this action, this desire, worth the struggle?  Is knowing Jesus more and following his call on our lives worth all this struggle?

Sadly, there are times we still give in to temptations.  But praise God, Jesus never gave in – not even once.  He faced the same struggles we face (and more), and he lived life without ever sinning.  He is our redeemer, our savior, our Lord, and our friend.  In these 40 days of temptations, and every other moment he faced, Jesus was intent on offering his life as a sacrifice, so our lives might be saved.  Let’s pray.

God, thank You for Jesus.  Thank you for loving us so completely that You gave Jesus in our place, so we might experience Your forgiveness and a deep relationship with You.  As we continue through this season of Lent, help us walk closer with Jesus, help us to know him more, and help us to understand You are still working within us even when there are times we give into the things You have called us away from.  Thank you for being more faithful to us than we can ever possibly be to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.