Learning to Depend on God (Meditation on Matthew 4:1-11)

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Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit, where he fasted for 40 days.

Then, in Jesus’ hunger and physical weakness, the enemy showed up to test him and tempt him.

How did Jesus stay strong? And what can we learn from the encounter?

Jesus turned to God in dependence, reminded himself (and his enemy) of what was true, and did the next right thing.

He passed the enemy’s test with flying colors.

Lent, 40 days that mimic these 40 days of fasting by Jesus, helps us turn away from the things that comfort us to depend more fully on God.

As you meditate on Matthew 4, allow the Spirit to help you notice something from these words that applies to your own life.

Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to the interview with pastor and author Aaron Damiani. We discuss Lent, where it came from, and how we can practice it today.

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The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use:

Matthew 4:1-11, NIV

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted v by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

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