The Temptation of Christ

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In these 30 hidden years, The father was developing deep within him an deep unshakable grounded security and identity that gave him the strength and resolve to resist the easy way out and embrace power and fame and significance over embracing humiliation, torture, pain, suffering, poverty, to set save our lives and set us free.

Out of a relational union and intimacy with God emerges a deep, unshakable,  grounded security and identity that produces a resolve and strength to resist temptation to become someone God did not design you to be.

All three temptations were an attackson the union and trust of the relationship

Temptation = Mistrust of God, Is this relationship enough?

The stones=Do u need something else to satisfy you?

The Jump=Do you need to  find something else to make you spectacular or give your life value?

The Bow=Do you need to find something else to give you power and significance

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” 

Out mission as a family of transformation is not easy.

Take time this week to browse through the gospels and find a suffering of Christ similar to yours: unjust accusations, betrayal, facing temptation, dealing with difficult people etc. Jesus shared in our suffering when He became human and He is able and willing to share in it still. If you are not presently involved in any efforts to walk with people in their suffering, begin asking God where to focus...there is much suffering. We share it when we walk with even one, bringing light into dark places...and that is exactly how good things grow.