After the service he tried to catch up
with the Bill or Martha but the left too quickly to be caught. Randy
did, however, catch up with Barney. “Barney.” He called out,
“I've just got to know, do you know how Harold is doing?” “Yes
and no.” Barney answered. “Huh?” Randy said with puzzle look on
his face. “Yes, I know how Harold is doing and no, I don’t know
how he is doing.” Barney started to explain. But he made no sense
to Randy who said so.
“The last time I talked to Harold,”
Barney continued to explain, “He was making some big plans on how
he would stay out of trouble.” “That sounds promising.” Randy
injected, “But how can you not know how he is doing?” “Nobody
has seen him for over a week.” Barbey went on to say. “What?!”
Randy exclaimed, “He's disappeared again?” “Sort of.” Barney
shrugged.
“What do you mean sort of?” Randy
asked, “Either he’s disappeared or he hasn’t.” “Well,”
Barney said, “It's like this. Harold was planning on leaving town
for a while. And as I know he was telling everybody he was leaving.
The whole town wants to throw he a get out of town party.” Where
was he planning on going?” Randy asked. “To the monastery.”
Barney answered.
“The What?!” Randy shouted out in
shock getting the attention of everybody left in the sanctuary. “The
monastery.” Barney whispered. “But why” Randy asked. “Why is
he going there?” “He was thinking that if he locked himself in a
room at the monastery he would never get in trouble again.” Barney
said. “That's interesting.” Randy said, “But I'm not sure it
will work.”
“How could it go wrong?” Barney
asked, “I thought it was a good idea.” “trouble starts from
within.” Randy started to explain. “You mean if he locks himself
in a room trouble will start?” Barney asked. “No.” Randy said
shaking his head. “Then it will work!” Barney exclaimed. “Has
it ever worked before?” Randy asked. “Well,” Barney said bowing
his head, “No, not really.”
“All the trouble that Harold gets
into starts in his own mind doesn’t it?” Randy asked pointing
Barney toward to the real reason. “Well,” Barney replied, “I
guess I’d have to agree with you there.” And unless I'm
mistaken,” Randy continued, “He is going to take his mind with
him.” After thinking about it Barney finally said “At least he
won’t be bothering us, and besides, maybe he will learn something
from all those bald guys.” “Bald Guys!” Randy shouted out and
Barney ran off.
Jesus had just been Baptized but He
wasn't ready to start the job God sent Him to do. He needed to go
through a time of preparation, that preparation came in a strange
way.
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,
returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during
those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said
to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become
bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall
not live by bread alone.' " And the devil took him up and showed
him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to
him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for
it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you,
then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered
him, "It is written, " 'You shall worship the Lord your
God, and him only shall you serve.' " And he took him to
Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him,
"If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for
it is written, " 'He will command his angels concerning you, to
guard you,' and " 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest
you strike your foot against a stone.' " And Jesus answered
him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the
test.' " And when the devil had ended every temptation, he
departed from him until an opportune time.
Luke 4:1-13 (ESV)
Jesus was led for 40 days, ate nothing
and was tempted. Being alone did not stop temptation from coming.
Three temptations are named
- Turn rocks to Bread – Would He trust God to provide?
- Worship Devil – Did He want it all the easy way?
- Jump down – They would know Him for certain.
Devil lost – retreated and waited.
First things first – Jesus battled
temptation with scripture. What does scripture say about temptation?
It says...
- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 (ESV)
- But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14 (ESV)
- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
- For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 (ESV)
- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)
- Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 (ESV)
Locking ones self away won't keep
temptation from coming because we can't hide ourselves from Satan nor
can we hide ourselves from ourselves. We can stay away from things
though that may encourage us to be tempted or give in. What will you
do?
Here's Something To Ponder
- What are the things that tempt you?
- What are the ways that you handle temptation?
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