Daily Lectionary Readings for September 22, 2010
Psalm 43
Esther 6:1-14
Acts 19:1-10
Luke 4:1-13
Luke 4:1-13
The story of the temptation of Jesus always stands at the beginning of Lent so it feels a little different to run into it on the borderline between summer and fall. The devil tempts Jesus and Jesus, utilizing Scripture throughout, resists each temptation. Verse 13 gives an important insight into the devil's work. "When the devil had finished every test, he deaprted from him until an opportune time." He did not depart permanently. He did not depart discouraged. He did not depart resigned to the fact that Jesus could not be had sooner or later. He departed - until an opportune time. Temptation is never finished with us. As long as we are aiming to follow Jesus the devil will be searching for opportune times to tempt us to follow something else. The devil is not a cartoon character with a pitchfork and pointy ears. The devil is a persistent foe who tests us and tests us and does not relent.
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