by bread alone?

One day last fall I took some pictures in our back yard--just plain ole pictures of rocks, flowers, this and that. When I transferred them to the computer, I was amazed to see that one rock seemed to uncannily resemble a loaf of unsliced bread. I remember having several biblical thoughts come to mind but especially the one from Luke 4 when Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert.

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, [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 does 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, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. [7] So 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 says: '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.

Although Satan does have some power, we know that his power is limited and trumped by the power of God.

However, I couldn't help but wonder when looking at this picture if he made the stone in the desert resemble a real loaf of bread. After all, Jesus was hungry and Satan was doing everything within his power to contribute to a fall for Him. He knew that Jesus was the hope of all humanity, our one chance for redemption from this fallen Adamic nature.

And isn't it just like Satan to try to disguise sin--to make it look like something it is not?

But Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and every time Satan tempted Him, He replied quoting scripture. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we did that? I've had several chances even today to reply to Temptation with lines from Scripture--the lady in the grocery line who cut in front of several of us who had been waiting quite a while, one with a new baby in a sling--the lady who pulled over right in front of me and really didn't need to at all--didn't need to be in that lane until a half mile down the street--

(Did you notice that Satan also tempted Jesus by using scripture?)

What should or could I have responded with instead of grumpiness and mumbling?

Maybe--
"Do all things without murmuring and complaining."
"Prefer your brother above yourself."
"Rejoice, and again I say rejoice."
"Give thanks in all things."

I did start out the day with scripture reading and prayer, but I let an incident early in the day hurt my feelings and destroy my witness. Evidently I did not access all that Christ provided for me.

Jesus had spent forty days in prayer and fasting and was ready for anything Satan had to throw at him.

I am not a member of a liturgical denomination--but am drawn to the idea of Lent and doing without something or several somethings for forty days preceding the crucifixion and resurrection.

I am reminded of the scripture that says, "Obedience is better than sacrifice," so when pondering about what to give up, I am drawn to obeying rather than sacrificing. Of course, sometimes when we obey it is a sacrifice to our human flesh. If I had given up my grumblings and complainings this morning, that would have been obedience to what Scripture says. It would also have been a sacrifice for my human nature.

What is wonderful is this. We are new creations in Christ. So what is a sacrifice for us has already been accomplished by the Holy Spirit of God and when we "walk in the Spirit," as commanded numerous times in Scripture, then what was once a sacrifice becomes a joy and a privilege.

So I am challenged for the next forty days to live not by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

It is my desire to live so that the opportune times for Satan to tempt me and be successful are few and far between.




I am longing for obedience.