Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days
when He became hungry. The tempter said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread”
(Matt. 4:3). The devil was trying to get Jesus to doubt who He was. The
last thing He heard from His Father was at His baptism, when He spoke from
heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son” (Matt. 3:17). Now the devil questioned
His identity as the Son of God and challenged Him to prove it.
What tool could Satan use in the wilderness?
He tempted Jesus with a rock.
He probably pointed to a stone that looked exactly like a loaf of bread. When
you’re hungry, even rocks start looking good. The devil can even make unappealing things look attractive when you’re weak.
Jesus could prove He was God’s Son by simply telling the rock, “Change!” and it would instantly turn into bread. No one would ever
know, and He could fulfill His hunger drive. Jesus had the power to do it. He performed
His first miracle by turning water into wine, so converting stones into bread
would be easy.
Since His Father hadn’t given any “daily
bread” for forty days, the devil tempted Him to provide for himself. He tempts
people today in the same way, “Don’t wait for God to answer. Provide for
yourself.” People do all kinds of things they shouldn’t be doing because they
refuse to wait on God to provide.
Jesus told the devil, “It is written, ‘Man
shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God’” (Matt. 4:4 NKJV). Don’t spend your life chasing bread alone, or
anything else that fulfills your cravings. Live by every word that God has
spoken.
****************************************************************************************************
BIBLE
STUDY: What
is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Receive these devotionals (free) by email: You can subscribe
in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an
email when the new devotional is posted)
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
