Daily Worship

Temptations

Albert Bogle January 16, 2014 0 0

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus is tested in the wilderness

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’

Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written:

‘“He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”’

Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”’

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Lord,
You went forty days and forty nights without food.
I admire your strength and concentration.
I can hardly go a day without thinking about my next meal
Your life was never easy
You chose the road of sacrifice and service
You put others first
You chose to deny yourself
Instead you took up a cross
You chose the nails
You chose stones rather than bread
You chose a crown of thorns rather than a throne
Teach me what it means 
To put others first
To go the second mile
To love my enemies
To turn the other cheek

Lord
You were tempted just like all of us are tempted
Give me the strength to resist temptation
Help me turn my temptations into stepping stones of grace.

 

Albert Bogle, St Andrew's Church, Bo'ness