Tempted and Tried

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Matthew 4:1-11

Being human means being subject to many temptations. We are tempted to overindulge, to be selfish, to hoard and to steal, to act on our angers and our jealousies. In extreme situations, we are tempted to end it all for someone else or ourselves. We want more than anything, for our lives to be simple, happy and unchallenged. Too often the hurdles are high, the challenges too much and the pain too excruciating. The good news is we serve a God who knows the lived realities of our pain, suffering and temptations. We are loved by a Creator who know suffering and forgives us our humanity and our failures.

Wondrous Creator, you took on our humanity

in the person of Jesus you hungered and were tempted

you lived in a dusty, challenging, and painful world

and love us all despite our failures and our brokenness.

We too often blame others for our mistakes

we too often blame you for our present condition

yet you always invite us to seek you in our desperation

and cling to your promises of forgiveness and healing.

Help us to call upon you in our darkest hours

remind us all that you suffer along with us now

give us the strength to cry out in our temptations

and seek you in every hurdle and challenge we face. Amen.