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- Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 4:1-11
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[d]”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’[e]”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”
Grey Owl, originally named Archibald Belaney, sought solace and a deeper connection with nature in the vast Canadian wilderness. He retreated to the remote forests of Northern Ontario and lived a solitary life, immersing himself in the beauty and serenity of the natural world. It was in this solitude that he discovered his calling to protect and preserve the environment.
As Grey Owl spent extended periods alone in the wilderness, he developed a profound sensitivity to the voice of God speaking through creation. The stillness of the forest, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the songs of birds became a symphony of divine communication. In this solitude, Grey Owl found clarity of purpose and heard God's voice guiding him toward a life of environmental stewardship.
In Matthew 4:1-11, we read about Jesus' own experience of solitude in the wilderness. He spent forty days and nights alone, fasting and seeking God's will. It was during this time of solitude that Jesus faced temptation from the devil but also heard the voice of God with clarity. In the midst of his physical and spiritual hunger, Jesus found strength and direction in the words of his heavenly Father.
This passage provides valuable insights into the nature of Jesus' ministry and His victory over temptation. Through His responses to the devil's temptations, Jesus teaches us the importance of relying on God's Word, not testing God's faithfulness, and worshiping God alone. This passage reminds us that even in the face of temptation, we can overcome it by staying grounded in Scripture, trusting in God's provision, and remaining faithful to Him. As followers of Christ, we can draw strength from Jesus' example and apply these principles in our own lives, enabling us to resist temptation and live in alignment with God's will.
Reflection Question: How can we incorporate solitude into our own lives to magnify God's voice? In the busyness and noise of our daily routines, it can be challenging to hear God's voice and discern His will. Yet, Jesus, solitude has the power to amplify God's voice and provide us with clarity of purpose. Can you set aside time each day to be alone with God, away from distractions and noise?