Confrontation and Victory
The temptation of Christ in the desert. COVID has certainly made this story applicable to our lives. Many today are facing hunger, isolation, depression, worry, and desperation. Often it feels like Satan is circling, eyeing our weakness, laughing at our circumstances. He wants to move into our hearts and take over our priorities. However, just like Christ, we too can look to God for hope, guidance, strength, and even joy. When aligned with God we are victorious.
Enjoy this brief excerpt from Sharing Stories of Jesus with Children as well as my reflection and scripture reference.
Jesus has his hands raised to the clouds as he looks up to God for support and power on a towering rock while Satan attempts to fly away failing to convince his enemy to surrender.
Dry Mouth
Critters crawl across
hot, grainy sand.
The thirst is too much
for this holy man.
40 days and 40 nights
in the desert
he’s quite a sight.
Satan arrives to save the day.
He offers help
it’s on the way.
If only our Messiah
will bow down to him
then all his problems
would seem so slim.
Refusing surrender
Jesus digs in his heels,
relies on his faith no
matter how he feels.
His belief marks a victory
Christ will always win.
Count on the Savior
the one without sin.
If you enjoyed this poem click on the books link within this website for easy access to purchasing Sharing Stories of Jesus with Children. God Bless You. Reflection:
Its 3pm and you might be thinking, "I am starving and can hardly wait until supper. I need a snack.” Many people however suffer true hunger, and they can relate to Jesus’ ordeal. I can’t begin to imagine 40 days and nights in the desert: the hunger, isolation, desperation, and dread. Never mind the extreme heat and cold, it is critters I would fear most. If we were lost in the desert wouldn’t we do anything to get out of that situation?
Along comes someone who can solve all the problems. He can fill my rumbling tummy, place me in a place of rest and comfort, and on top of all that he is offering me financial and social security all of my days. Sounds tempting right? But when Christ was offered these gifts, he knew the true cost of acceptance. He forsakes it all and relies solely on this heavenly father to take care of him. Now that is the ultimate trust test.
The temptation of Christ in the desert. COVID has certainly made this story applicable to our lives. Many today are facing hunger, isolation, depression, worry, and desperation. Often it feels like Satan is circling, eyeing our weakness, laughing at our circumstances. He wants to move into our hearts and take over our priorities. However, just like Christ, we too can look to God for hope, guidance, strength, and even joy. When aligned with God we are victorious.
Christ experienced all the emotional and physical trials we go through in life. He can relate to our needs, wants, and temptations. Trust him for he has already passed the test.
Luke 4:1-13
4 Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”4 Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone.’ ” [a]
5 The devil took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. 6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all the power and glory of these kingdoms. All of it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 So if you will worship me, all this will be yours.”
8 Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ”9 Then the devil took him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump from here! 10 Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully. 11 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.’ ”
12 Jesus answered him, “It has been said, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’ ” [b]13 After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time.