Thursday, February 18, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Luke 4:1–13
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. (NRSV)

Reflection
At some time in our lives, all of us have done something that we have come to regret or wish that we had not done. Quite often when reflecting upon that event, we dismiss it or try to justify it with that trite rationalization, “He caught me in a weak moment.”

In today’s biblical passage, Jesus has been led about in the wilderness by the Spirit. Alone and not having eaten for forty days, Jesus is vulnerable. Surely even for Jesus this is a weak moment!

Nevertheless, when thrice tempted by the devil, Jesus, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, not only rejects the entreaties of the devil but lectures him.

But this is not the end of the story. Having had no success with Jesus, the devil withdraws; he will wait and try again in another weak moment.

The message: Beware; the devil is still at work in our world. But Jesus also is at work in our world—his world—through the Holy Spirit.

As our earthly lives continue, more weak moments are destined to occur; when they do, how will you respond? One of my favorite hymns came to mind came to mind while writing this devotion. When my weak moments arise (and surely they will), may its beautiful lyrics be my prayer:

Prayer
“Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me.
  Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
  Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.” Amen.

(Prayer from Daniel Iverson’s hymn “Spirit of the Living God”)

Reflection written by J. Barlow Nelson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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