Amazing Grace

Luke 4

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”
⁵ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
⁹ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
¹¹ they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

¹² Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

¹³ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

How Amazing is God's Grace? How amazing is God's grace that Jesus was sent to be tempted, tried, and tested on our behalf. Jesus being tempted in the wilderness was the start of his earthly ministry. After being baptized Christ goes to the wilderness to prepare himself for all that he must endure and encounter which would lead to him being tortured and killed on a wooden cross on our behalf to forgive us from our sins. 

God in Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us, this Lenten season God has called us to return to our Lord through making sacrifices that will strengthen our relationship with God and one another.  God has called us to give up and/or add on some things that make us spend more time in prayer, fasting, ministry, and focusing on how we can become closer to God.  Just like Jesus these 40 plus day give us the opportunity to prepare for new ministry in new ways.  Let's prepare this Lenten season to go and tell the world of God amazing grace. A grace that gives the blind sight, a grace that finds the lost, a grace that saves sinners like us! Praise be to God and may strength be to you as we enter this time of loving sacrifice.

Dear God during this time leading up to Easter prepare us for the ministry and mission field awaiting. Let us grow closer to you so that no matter what obstacles await we will be ready like Christ to resist temptation, and follow your will. Guide us as we build your kingdom and change the world. Hear our prayers and encourage us to keep on in faith despite drama, fatigue, and naysayers.  Thank you for your grace. Amen.