The Temptation of Jesus
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where 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. 3The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ 4Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’
Then the devil* led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And the devil* said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ 8Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil* took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you”,
11and
“On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
12Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
Tested
The kiln is hot and soft melts
the colors run down like water
my clay dug out of river beds
will stand up to all refining.
The pushing and the pounding
spun on a wooden wheel
pulled up by wetted skilled hands
shaped into a vision beyond me.
The testing is always to the limit
the push and pull to the edge
shoved beyond what is imaginable
to become a rare thing of beauty.
Let me now never fear the testing
the rough skin of the potter's hands
the places where I am pushed and prodded
will become an invitation for others.
Then the devil* led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And the devil* said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ 8Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil* took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you”,
11and
“On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
12Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
Tested
The kiln is hot and soft melts
the colors run down like water
my clay dug out of river beds
will stand up to all refining.
The pushing and the pounding
spun on a wooden wheel
pulled up by wetted skilled hands
shaped into a vision beyond me.
The testing is always to the limit
the push and pull to the edge
shoved beyond what is imaginable
to become a rare thing of beauty.
Let me now never fear the testing
the rough skin of the potter's hands
the places where I am pushed and prodded
will become an invitation for others.
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