The Test Before the Assignment

Scriptures: (Luke 3:21-23) (Luke 4:1-2)

In the "Finding Purpose in Patience" study, we looked at Jesus’s early life and baptism at the age of thirty. Our study emphasized how Jesus did not begin his public work until after He was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-23). The culmination of these two major milestones launched Jesus to His ministry. If we keep reading this portion of our Bible, we will see it doesn’t end there. In addition to the Lord being baptized and filled with the spirit, He fasted and was tested before He began His great works. Let’s explore.

In this study, we pick up further down in Luke, Chapter 3. We see the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the desert for 40 days, where He fasted and ate nothing (Luke 4:1-2). The scripture then tells us how the devil tempted Jesus. He knew Jesus was hungry, so he challenged Him to turn a stone into bread and invited Jesus to worship him. In turn, the devil promised to give Him all the kingdoms of the world.

Why is this significant, you ask? This is an example to us of how the Lord can show up and reveal to us our journey. Jesus went through a test before the assignment. When we know what we are looking for, we can better keep our eyes and hearts open. Not many of us see a break in the clouds and hear the Lord speak in supernatural ways. But more often, the Lord speaks to us in subtle ways that we may miss, especially in tough times.

Our goal as Christians is to resist the temptation to give up and give in, losing hope in the hard season. But, to instead recognize when the Lord is using a season to prepare us to do a great work in the Kingdom. As Jesus’ journey shows, we can expect hard times and we know the Lord uses them to advance HIS kingdom and HIS will. We can find hope in that!

Reflection:

Has the Lord brought you through a tough season, that you now realize was to prepare you for something bigger?

Prayer:

Lord, help my eyes stay fixed on you, especially during times of trials, so I may be able to complete the assignment. Amen.