Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:1.
Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, that he might there fast and be tempted; but no one should imitate Christ's example of his own choice and make it a selfish and arbitrary fasting; but instead wait for the Spirit, who will send him enough fastings and temptations. For whoever, without being led by the Spirit, wantonly resorts to the danger of hunger or any other temptation, when it is truly a blessing of God that he can eat and drink and have other comforts, tempts God. We should not seek want and temptation, they will surely come of themselves ; we ought to act honestly, and always do our best. The text reads: Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness; and not: Jesus himself chose to go up into the wilderness. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." God gives his blessings that we may use them with thanksgiving, and not that we let them lie idle, and thus tempt him; for he wishes us to fast by the Spirit or by a need which we cannot avoid.
This narrative is written both for our instruction and admonition. For instruction that we should know how Christ has served and helped us by his fasting, hunger, temptation, and victory ; also that whosoever believes on Christ shall never suffer need, and that temptation shall never harm him, but that we shall have enough in the midst of want and be safe in the midst of temptation; because his Lord and Head triumphed over all these in his behalf, and of this he is assured. "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
This is written for our admonition, that we may in the light of his example also cheerfully suffer want and temptation for the service of God and the good of our neighbour, like Christ did for us, as often as necessity requires it, which is surely accomplished if we learn and confess God's Word. But we have practiced fasting as a good work, not to bring our flesh into subjection, but as a meritorious work before God to atone for sins and obtain grace. This has made our fasting a stench, a blasphemy, and a disgrace.
(An excerpt taken from "Devotional Readings From Luther's Works For Every Day Of The Year" By Rev. John Sander, L.H.D.) in the Public Domain.
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Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 28 - Why would God become human?
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 27 - Jesus is fully God
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 26 - Jesus is fully human
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 25 - Just a good moral teacher?
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 24 - What's in a name
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 23 - Paul and Jesus
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 22 - Peter and Jesus
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 21 - John and Jesus
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 20 - Mary and Jesus
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 19 - Antiphons
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 18 - Ascension of Jesus
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 17 - Resurrection
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 16 - Jesus' Death on the Cross
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 15
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 14
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 13
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 12
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 11
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 10
Bible Thought - WOW Factor of Jesus Christ - Part 9
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