Temptation

Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days,and when they were over, he was famished. 


What is a wilderness? Oh I know that it is a physical description of a baron isolated environment, and that Jesus was alone in this place, but was he alone. The passage says that he was full of the Holy Spirit. Even with the Holy Spirit we read that he was tempted for forty days. Using his power and identity must have been a possible and powerful temptation. Scripture says that he was tempted as we are and yet did not sin. I know a lot of people think that he could not sin, but how could he be tempted in every way as we are and not be able to sin. It would be a mockery and a charade to say he was tempted like me if he really could never sin. It must have been possible, or these forty days held in such high regard would simply be a walk in the park. The evil one must have seen what could happen through Jesus in order to put such emphasis in attempting to get Jesus to sin. The Holy Spirit must be a powerful ally to help him avoid such temptation for so long.


The other focus I find in this scripture has to do with my wilderness experiences, which are not necessarily physical wildernesses. For me the temptations are worse when I am in my spiritual wilderness. I think many of us can find ourselves isolated and alone in a spiritual isolation of our own choosing from time to time. It is then that the evil one tries his best attack. I know when I'm in a spiritually strong place that the Holy Spirit helps me like Jesus was helped. My plan avoid spiritually weak moments. My plan, stay centered in Jesus so the Holy Spirit in me is strong. I don't seek temptation, but I know it will come ant my weakest moments and only God can help me then.