What Jesus Did! 'Show He's With You!' — Luke 4:9-12

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

[Continuing his temptation of Jesus,] the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
'He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'"

Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God.'"

— Luke 4:9-12 NLT

Key Thought

The devil was baiting Jesus to try to get him to show that God was really with him. It was as if the devil was telling Jesus, "Before it comes to the crucial showdown between you and me at Golgotha, show that God's behind you. It will give you more courage and strength if it is really true and if you can really trust him!" Jesus saw through the whole charade. He would not test God, because to put God to the test is to distrust God's faithfulness. Yes, we will all pass through the fires of trial and temptation. Yes, we want to be confident in God's presence. But, we never want to doubt his faithfulness to his promises or to us. We don't need to test his faithfulness; it's been proven over the course of centuries. The issue is our faithfulness and our limited view of all that is going on in his work in history. We must not think we can put God to the test; we are the ones who will be tested! Our job is to be faithful to our God as our God is faithful to us!

Today's Prayer

O God, you have proven yourself faithful for generations. Forgive me for those times that I have been presumptuous, pompous, or cynical. I confess my human limitations and my all-too-human desire for assurance and security. Give me the courage to be faithful in the face of ridicule and scorn from others and in the face of doubt within myself. I do believe that you have been, are, and will be faithful. May I be found faithful, too. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Timothy 2:8-13
  • James 1:12-15
  • Psalm 107:1-2

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 4:9-12 NLT — And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.

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.

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