"When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time."(Luke 4:13)
Being tested by life is something most of us have experienced. Another word for it is of course temptation. We are told that Jesus was visited by Satan in order to try and tempt him. The devil picks a great opportunity, 40 days without food. Heck, I sometimes wonder if I can 40 minutes! The point being that when we are hungry we don't always make good decisions.
So the devil offers the most obvious food, first with taunt. If you think you're something go ahead and prove it. The devil even makes it more tempting by quoting the Bible at Jesus. What I've always loved about this scene is that Jesus fights scripture with scripture. Next the devil offers power, just have to change your allegiance. Power is incredibly seductive, but not if it means betraying those we love. And finally you won't betray that love, then let them prove how much they really love you. Jesus reply is to trust that love even without proof.
Each day we will face some sort of temptation. Some are trivial and lead to things we might give up for Lent. Others are more serious. And much like Jesus if we are willing to trust God's presence and love for us, even when we are at our weakest, we might pass the test.
The final warning though is in the above quote. Just because you pass the test this time, doesn't mean more tests might not come. They sometimes wait for a more opportune time.
Blessings,
Ed
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