Scripture
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. (Matthew 4:1-2)
Observation
- The Spirit leads Jesus (1) to the wilderness and (2) for the purpose of being tempted
- The Amplified Bible also has Jesus led to (1) the desert and (2) to be tested and tried.
- Strong’s suggests that the wilderness is more testing and trying than tempting?
- “Then” links back to Jesus’ affirmation at this baptism
Application
God led Jesus to be tempted or rather tested. The scene that follows is one of testing – is Jesus the One? is he the Messiah? Will he follow the path laid before him at his baptism or will he follow another path?
If the Spirit leads Jesus to be tested… and we follow Jesus… then it seems we, too, will be led to be tested. We will be tested on the same things – are we committed to God’s will above ours? Is God the source of our life and vitality? Will we worship God and God alone?
The way of Christ is a way of testing. We are not saved by this testing – far from it. We are, however, refined and im-proved by it as God’s Spirit works in us.
Prayer
Lord, test me today. Show me where I am not following your Son and your Spirit faithfully. Show me where my character is not on the road of Christ. Show me where I worship things other than you. Test me, try me. All out of your great love… Amen.
