Temptations of the Beloved: Blessing or Scarcity

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Immediately following the affirmation his identity as the Beloved of God, Jesus was driven into the wilderness to endure a season of dryness, testing, and trial. As we embrace our identity as the Blessed, Broken, and Given children of God, what can we learn from Jesus’ temptations in the desert? Here we come to a crossroads: will we choose the way of Blessing, or the way of Scarcity?

Handout

To follow along, download this handout of The Temptations of the Wilderness.

Breath Prayer

Jesus, help me live from blessing, not scarcity.

Scripture

Romans 5:15, 18-19

“But the free gift of Christ isn’t like Adam’s failure. If many people died through what one person did wrong, God’s grace is multiplied even more for many people with the gift — of the one person Jesus Christ — that comes through grace.

So now the righteous requirements necessary for life are met for everyone through the righteous act of one person, just as judgment fell on everyone through the failure of one person. Many people were made righteous through the obedience of one person, just as many people were made sinners through the disobedience of one person.”

Matthew 4:1-11

“Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. 2 After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.”

After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, 6 “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.”

Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s written,You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him.”

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