Jesus and Temptation

Jesus says that man does not live by bread alone. He refuses to let anyone force Him to take His eyes and His heart off the Father.  Not even hunger comes before honoring God.  The Devil has no power over that kind of faith and devotion to God.

Christ passed the second test not by wit or strength. It was by looking to and lifting His Father. The third temptation touched the deepest part of our Savior´s heart.  It goes out to His suffering children everywhere. Once again, the Lord overcomes with complete dedication to the will of God the Father. We, too, can be left at the Father´s feet when it is all over.

How can we learn to resist temptation and overcome the trials that beset us?  Our Savior´s only weapon was His focus on God and His determination to honor Him at all costs.  We could arm ourselves in this way today. We would find strength beyond our imagination.  We would find it in our time of weakness and suffering.  Let us refuse to look to ourselves or our situation.  Look rather to God. Seek His will and His power. Then this world will never have to get to us either.

Dear Jesus, help us through our temptations too.  No victory will come to us because we are strong or smart. Give us the wisdom and strength to look to You. In that way, reward us by letting us witness You at work. Whether trials or success, let them all place us closer than before. Amen