Wilderness

Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. And as He returned from the Jordan River, the Spirit drove Him up into the wilderness with the wild beasts. There He was tested by the devil. Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights and ate nothing. At the end of that time, Jesus was hungry.

The tempter came to Jesus and said, “If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.”

But Jesus answered Him, “It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Another time, the devil took Jesus to the Holy city, 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. For it is written: 'He will command His angels concerning You to guard You, and they will lift You up in their hands so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus replied, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Another time, Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain. And in a moment, Satan showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Jesus, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it was handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. And so, it shall all be Yours if You fall down and worship me."

Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 

When the devil finished every temptation, he left Jesus until a more appropriate time. And angels came to Jesus and ministered to Him.

(See Deuteronomy 6:13, 16; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 91:11-12;  Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)

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