Angels Came And Waited On Him

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Matthew 4:1-11

Adam and Eve lived in the lovely Garden of Eden. Jesus was tempted in the barren, dangerous wilderness. The same tempter who once entered God’s garden now welcomed God to his barren turf.

The wilderness can be a picture of what the world – and life – becomes when Satan has his way. With one decisive blow, the joy of Eden was replaced by the barrenness of shame. But Jesus was victorious on Satan’s turf! His victory is also our victory. He gives us hope. The enemy no longer holds sway. A victory assures us the day is coming when we will no longer toil in Satan’s wilderness but will be ushered into heaven, where the joy of Eden will be ours – forever. As you journey through the wilderness of temptation, Christ’s victory is yours.

Our Daily Bread – December 5, 2007