After the Lord Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God led him into the desert to be tested by the devil. After fasting forty days, our Lord became hungry. At that moment of vulnerability and exhaustion, the tempter sought to undermine our Lord’s trust in the Father by tempting him to turn stones into bread, to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple so angels could rescue him, and to bow down and worship him, the tempter, in exchange for possession of the world’s kingdoms. In every case our Lord resisted the temptation, quoting God’s Word and standing true to the Father.

Tests, trials, and temptations are unavoidable. They will not always be as dramatic and obvious as Satan confronting us directly. Our path to victory, however, is the same path that Jesus took. Depend on God and trust his Word. He will help us in our time of need.

Grant us power, Lord, to face our own trials; help us in our time of need.

In Hebrews it is clear that the blood or death of Jesus is what actually removes sin and makes it possible for sinners to draw near to God (e.g. 9:12–14, 15–22; 10:19, 29; 12:24; 13:12). Yet it is because he offered himself as a perfectly obedient and unblemished sacrifice to God that his death has atoning significance (cf. 5:7–9; 7:27; 9:14, 28). The perfection of his sacrifice makes it possible for him to enter heaven itself, “now to appear for us in God’s presence” (9:24).

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 229-230.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Jesus, the Light of the World, John 9.1-41

Book Reading
Peterson, Engaging with God