What Jesus Did! 'More Than Bread' — Luke 4:3-4

Monday, February 20, 2023

[While Jesus was fasting in the wilderness,] the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread."

But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.'"

— Luke 4:3-4 NLT

Key Thought

"If you are the Son ..." God had affirmed his relationship with his Son at his baptism - "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." [1] Jesus had no reason to doubt his relationship with his Father.

With Jesus' knowledge of Scripture, he could easily answer Satan's well-timed temptation. But, what are we to learn from this battle? We can know that Satan knows when, where, and how to attack our vulnerabilities. His enticements are often targeted as a shortcut to a real need. However,

  • our relationship with God,
  • the power of the Holy Spirit within us, and
  • the internalization of biblical truth
can help us win our battles, too. The real challenge is for us to keep each of these three areas of our faith strong! So which of these three areas most needs your attention?

[1] Luke 3:22.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, the glorious and Almighty, deepen my relationship with you as I seek to draw closer to you. Have your Spirit take a greater influence in my life as I intentionally seek to yield to your will and your influence in my life. As I read the Bible, press your truth into the fiber of my soul. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Tested True
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Temptation. You face it. It is hard. The devil makes sure that the temptation is presented at just the right time, appealing to just..."
The Joy of Giving
Article by Patrick D. Odum
How can this bring me more joy? Patrick Odum tells about a boy who shared his winnings with his father rather than spending it only on himself and the joy that this attitude brought the father and Patrick compares this to the joy we give our Father, God, when we share.
More Than What's in The Sacred Page
Article by Phil Ware
When Jesus was hungry, alone, and had been contemplating his mission that would end on a cross, Satan's temptations were quite enticing! Phil Ware shares very frank and clear teaching about how Jesus resisted temptation and reminds us that simply knowing the Bible is not enough to win the war with Satan.
Love Language with Jesus?
Article by Phil Ware
The best way I know to start trying this love language shift is to use it with Jesus. Phil Ware reminds us how important it is to use love language with those who are precious to us and we can begin by doing this with Jesus.
See All 6 Related Resources about Luke 4:3-4

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 4:3-4 NLT — "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread." —— "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 20, 2023

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Festus Balks at the Resurrection' (Acts 26:24)
"[Paul had just shared his journey to faith that centered on the resurrection of Jesus.] Suddenly, Festus shouted, "Paul, you are insane. Too much..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Harvesting Faith, Hope, Love' (Co. 1:5-8)
"Dear Father, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Thank you for the fruit your Word is bearing throughout the whole world. Thank you that this..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'It Hurts when Your Own Family Attacks You'
"The Israelites told David what would be done for the man who would kill Goliath. When David’s oldest brother Eliab heard David talking with the..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Philippians 2:5, 7-8
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who... made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!