SCRIPTURE: LUKE 4
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS (vs. 1-13)
The Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert for 40 days. He ate nothing during those days and at the end of the day, he was hungry. The devil knew he needed food, so he challenged Jesus 3 times.
- The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread. (v. 3). Jesus answered, “It is written: “Man does not live on bread alone” (v. 4)
- The devil led him up to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” (vs. 7) Jesus answered: “It is written” “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” (v. 8)
- The devil led him to Jerusalem and stood on the highest point of the temple saying: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (v. 9-11). Jesus answered: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (v. 12)
JESUS REJECTED AT NAZARETH (vs. 14-30)
Jesus returned to Galilee and taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. Then he went to Nazareth and on the Sabbath day, he went to the synagogue and read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah as follows: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,. to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (vs. 18-19). Then he rolled up the scroll and told them: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (v. 21) But the people there asked: “Isn’t this Joseph’s son? Jesus replied: “I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was hot for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed – only Naaman the Syrian.” (vs. 24-27)
All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill in order to throw him down the cliff. But Jesus walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
JESUS DRIVES OUT AN EVIL SPIRIT (vs. 31-37)
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee and one the Sabbath began to teach the people. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Ha, What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” (vs. 34). Jesus said sternly: “Be quiet! Come out of him!” (v. 35). Then the demon threw the man down before them and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed with his authority and power to order the evil spirits to come out. The news about him spread through the surrounding area.
JESUS HEALS MANY (vs. 38-44)
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
The people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness. Jesus laid his hands on each one and healed them. Demons came out of many people shouting, “You are the Son of God!” (v. 41). Jesus rebuked them and would not allow them to speak. At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. They people tried to keep him from leaving them. But Jesus said, ,”I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent:” (v. 43). And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
THOUGHTS:
All of us can also experience temptations in our life. And the best way to win against temptation is to follow what Jesus did. Jesus used the Word of God to counter Satan’s attack. Remember, we should always be on guard in times of discouragement as well as times of victory. Keep God’s word in our hearts so that at any time, we are ready to use them. Are you reading and keeping His Word?
SATAN USED 3 WAYS TO TEMPT JESUS:
- Temptation of the Flesh – Turning stones into bread.
- Temptation of Pride – Thrown himself down.
- Temptation of the World – Worship Satan in exchange for worldly power and possessions.
Since the Jews no longer had a Temple during their exile, they established synagogue as their place of worship on Sabbath. Jesus went to the synagogue and attended services every week. He set an example for us to attend regular worship as part of our life.
As Jesus himself was not acceptable as a prophet in his hometown, don’t be surprised if those who know you well won’t accept your Christian life and faith.
Demons are fallen angels who have joined Satan in rebellion against God. They can cause a person to become mute, deaf, blind or insane. Jesus faced many demons during his time on earth and he always exerted authority over them. As evil permeates our world, people become fearful. But Jesus’ power is far greater than Satan’s. The best way to conquer fear of evil is to recognize Jesus’ authority and power. He has overcome all evils including Satan himself.
Jesus got up very early and went out to a solitary place to pray. We also need some quiet fellowship alone with God. No matter how busy we are, we should always have time for prayer.