The Way
Forty Days in the Wilderness
Three temptations overcome in a starving body
Story
Before the water of his baptism had even dried, the Spirit led Jesus out into the wilderness. It was a land of nothing but rock and sand, where the sun baked the stones by day. Wild animals came and went around him. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing. When his body was sinking with hunger, the tempter came.
If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. The devil took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the temple. Throw yourself down. Isn't it written that angels will lift you up in their hands? Then he took him to a very high mountain and spread out before him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Bow down and worship me, and I will give you all of this.
Each time, Jesus answered with the words of scripture. A person does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Away with you, Satan. Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. When the devil left him, angels came and took care of him. Luke adds that the devil withdrew for a while, waiting for another chance.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
It is written: people do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Away with you, Satan! It is written: worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.
It is also written: do not put the Lord your God to the test.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 4:1–11 · Mk 1:12–13 · Lk 4:1–13
Background
The Judean wilderness is a dry stretch of limestone hills running from east of Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea. Matthew and Luke give the second and third temptations in a different order.
Pause and Reflect
When I feel rushed and worn out, what do I grab hold of first?