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.

The devil offered shortcuts to fill his belly, to prove his identity, and to rule as king. In order to fulfill God’s will, Jesus had to walk God’s path. In the same way, we are tempted to seek shortcuts that will bring about good results. However, we must stay the course in Christ and finish the course he has set for us.

Lord Jesus, we pray that you would lead us, not by the shortest or easiest way, but in your own footsteps.

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