Show Notes
Today we look at the first temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and take time to meditate on scripture with Galatians 4:4-7.
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Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:08 Welcome to the meditation and worship series with west side church. Over the next few weeks, we will be meditating on scripture and diving into some practices. As we walk through the season of lent. Our hope is that over the course of this Lenten season, this time of meditation and worship can be a breath of fresh air. As we journey towards Easter together. Let us begin by pausing for a moment and focusing our attention to Jesus. May we be expectant of the movement of the holy spirit in our time together, if you are in a place to do so, close your eyes and hold out your hands in front of you, take a deep breath in and out. And one more in and out. It has been said that the 40 days of lent are to mirror Jesus 40 days in the wilderness. This week, we are taking a closer look at Jesus' time in the wilderness and what we can learn as we step into 40 days of emptying ourselves in preparation for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Today, we are looking at the first temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Matthew chapter four, verses one through four. Then Jesus was led by the spirit, into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil for 40 days and 40 nights. He fasted and became very hungry. During that time, the devil came and said, if you are the son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread, but Jesus told him no. The scripture say people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God
Speaker 1 00:02:20 After 40 days and nights of fasting, Jesus is hungry and probably tired and depleted emotionally and mentally as well. Jesus feels all the same things we do, including hunger. And it is at this weak moment that the enemy strikes first, he starts by questioning the fairy thing that the father told him 40 days before at his baptism. He questions his son ship. The enemy says you are the son of God. The enemy always starts with a little bit of truth and manipulates it for his own pleasure. If Jesus really is the son of God, then he can prove it by turning the stones to bread. And in one fell swoop, meet his need to eat as well. The enemy is twisting the truth of who Jesus is to get him to use it for a self-serving purpose.
Speaker 1 00:03:32 Jesus responds with the same fervor we should. When our identity is in question in each of his responses to these three tests, Jesus begins with the scriptures, say it is him recalling scripture. And the things that God has spoken it is him recalling truth. As Jesus responds to the enemy, he holds firm to the words that the father spoke over him. We also can rely on the word of God and not only that, but we live by it. His words are like food for a hungry soul. What have you been filling your soul with lately? Meditation of scripture is a wonderful practice to help us fill our souls with the word of God that can sustain us today. We're going to practice this together, close your eyes.
Speaker 1 00:04:43 I'm going to read a few verses. And as I do notice, what words or phrases stick out to you? What is God saying to you through his word? Take notice of how your body feels to help give an indication of what the spirit might want you to take notice of today. Do you feel your heart rate increase a tightness in your chest or your hands or your arms? Holy spirit. We open our hearts and our minds to hear what you have to say to us today. Galatians chapter four verses four through seven. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying Abba father. So are no longer a slave, but a child. And if a child than an heir through God, Take these words into your day to day and hold them close. You are no longer a slave, but a child of God, Other father, thank you for adopting us into your family. Thank you for loving us with a great love of a father. Help us to meditate and hold onto your word today. We love you.
Speaker 2 00:06:50 You said those who come to you and
Speaker 2 00:07:27 Out of your mouth is to say she
Speaker 2 00:07:50 You said Ben You said
Speaker 2 00:08:49 have to say We are hungry. We are hungry. .
