We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on March 14, 2014.
Reading Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-13) Reflection The lesson for the First Sunday in Lent this year is Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness in Luke. Christians begin the Lenten journey with Jesus which concludes with the crucifixion and resurrection with a text that reminds us that Jesus experienced temptation just us we do. We remember also that somehow the Lord did not give in to those temptations. Each day, we will be accompanied by the devil and Jesus. Matthew and Mark tell us in their temptation account that the angels waited on Jesus. He didn’t pass through those days without help. Just so, we too have help when Satan whispers in our ear—Jesus, the resurrected Christ who fights with us in our battles with the devil. Unlike Jesus, sometimes we will fail in our struggles against evil. Then Jesus walks with us to pick us up with forgiveness and encouragement. And a last thought: Jesus was not done with the devil after those 40 days. Luke tells us that Satan waited for “an opportune time” to tempt Jesus more. Our struggle against evil is constant. It doesn’t end. The devil takes few breaks. Neither does Jesus. I want Jesus to walk with me. --Jim Bricker Prayer In my trials, when I’m in trouble, all along my pilgrim journey, when my heart is almost breaking, when my head is bowed in sorrow, I want you, Jesus to walk with me. Amen. Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Lent, we focus on baptismal identity and the consequent amendment of life.
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