Meditate.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered
heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High
Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same
testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our
gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help
us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert. See Matthew 4:1-11. There are three basic areas of sin: lust of the flesh, pride of life and lust of the eyes. The devil tempted Jesus when He was hungry and far from any sources of food by suggesting that Jesus command that stones be turned to bread, not that He pray to the Father for the stones be changed into bread, but that Jesus use His own power to relieve His fleshly desire for food. Jesus didn’t give in to that temptation.
Nor did Jesus succumb to the devil’s suggestion that He throw
Himself off the highest point of the temple and have angels save Him, a
temptation of pride. The last temptation proposed by the devil was to give
Jesus all the kingdoms and power of the world if He would worship him (the devil).
Jesus didn’t fall for that temptation of the lust of the eyes either. All
temptations can be categorized by these same three temptations. 
Model of the Temple - Jerusalem, Israel
The temptations in your life are no different from what others
experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more
than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that
you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
God prepares us for temptations that we face. Watch for Him
working in your life. In addition, not only will He not allow us to be tempted
beyond what we can handle, but He provides a way of escape. Next time you are
tempted to do something that isn’t what God wants you to do, look for that “way
of escape” and follow the path that Jesus is providing.
Jesus is the way of escape for us—taking our sin upon Himself on the cross. That sacrifice allows us to come boldly before the throne of God—the Father Himself. We are washed white as snow—pure in our souls. Jesus is our advocate…our intercessor. Take time to talk to Him today…and to listen to Him speak to your heart and intercede for you.
Prayer ~ Lord—I sing to You. You have made a way/when there seemed no other way/You've worked in ways I cannot see/ You have made a way for me/ You are still my guide/and hold me closely to Your side/I feel Your love and strength today/for I know…You’ve made a way. Thank You, Jesus, that You obeyed Our Heavenly Father and were not led into temptation. Lead us not into temptation—but gratefully make a way. You are the Way. (See Don Moen website for the original lyrics and more of his song.)
Verse of Salvation ~ In this way, God qualified him (Jesus) as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:9
Bible Trivia Answer of the Week: How long was Jesus on earth before He ascended into Heaven? Jesus ascended into Heaven forty days after He died and then was resurrected back to life.
During the forty days after his
crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to
them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the
Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3
Bible Trivia Question for next week ~ Where is Jesus now?
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