Luke 4:12-13

New International Version

Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. 

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

For Encouragement

Every moment has its embedded thorns. Their purpose is always the same: to cause you harm. You have traversed the workweek and are ready for the next moment, designed for your rest and refreshment. Your struggle with the enemy is not over. The watchword is: Be alert and careful! Remember the time you let your guard down?

Jesus did not lose His guard at any time during His ministry. He knew the territory He had entered, and that every second was warfare. As Savior, He came to win the victory that the first couple failed to achieve. The world would confront Him with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—the weapons Satan deployed for his victory in Eden (1 Jn. 2:16). Jesus would not fall for them, so He was alert every second of His lifetime, and so should we.  

After His baptism, the Spirit guided Jesus into the wilderness, where the devil immediately launched a full-scale attack. What better time to launch his first attack than when Jesus was hungry after His forty-day fast (Lk. 4:1-3). However, Jesus was no Esau (Gen. 25:29-34). He did not take the bait (Lk.4:4).

The second missile targeted the lust of the eyes. What scenery of the kingdoms of the world from the top of the mountain did Satan tantalize the Lord! Just take a knee, Jesus, Satan said, and they will all be yours (5-7).

Isn’t that the enemy’s often-deployed weapon against us these days? But could the Creator of all the glories of heaven and earth lust after what He owns? The Lord our God and He alone deserves our worship (8).

What a shame that we are taking the knee at the devil’s feet for what is ours as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17)!

Finally, the enemy fired his best missile—adoration. Jerusalem hasn’t seen something spectacular in a long time, so what a place for Jesus to announce His Messianic arrival than the temple height (Lk. 4:9-11)! The angels will take care of you, Jesus, and the people will adore you (v.10, paraphrased).

Sounds familiar, social media perfectionist?

Of course, Jesus stood His ground. What a shame we are not! What is there to know about the Father that Christ doesn’t share with Him in the Godhead (12)?

Defeated, Satan left Jesus until an opportune time (13), and there were uncountable opportunities throughout His ministry, notably: Peter’s rebuke Jesus didn’t miss the source (Matt. 16:22-23); Gethsemane (26:36-46); and on the cross (Lk. 23:39-43; Mk. 15:30-32).

Thank God that because of Jesus, you are standing with your scars, showing how treacherous the days have been for you. By His grace, you have moved a notch on the maturity scale. Whatever your case, bruised or strengthened, you haven’t finished the journey yet.

This weekend is a rest stop with its own unique thorns to navigate. The key to your victory is awareness and vigilance, armed with the word of God, being sensitive and yielded to the Holy Spirit.

Stand your ground in Christ against the unrelenting enemy and prevail for the Father’s glory.

Pray with Me

Eternal Father, we give you all the glory and honor due you alone. As you have kept us and given us victory over the enemy in the past, please help us be watchful and determined to prevail in temptation this weekend and beyond. Thank you for the Spirit’s anointing and power, in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen!

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