Journey Through the DesertParaugs

If You Are

Jesus had just gotten baptized by John the Baptist. This was no ordinary baptism; it was the launch of Jesus’ ministry. Also, this is where the Father made a powerful declaration, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

Shortly after His baptism, we read that Jesus is led into the desert, where He will remain for 40 days and 40 nights. While we don’t know what happened during that time, we are given a front-row seat to the end, or should I say the beginning.

The tempter came in the same manner as in the Garden. Sly and subtle. He arrived with an “if.” He came with a seed.

Verse 3: “And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

“If you are the Son of God.” Jesus is hungry. He is vulnerable, and now the tempter is trying to plant a seed of doubt, or perhaps he was mocking Jesus’ identity. Jesus was just declared the Son of God at His baptism, and the tempter knows that.

The tempter will always go after our identity. Who God says we are will always be challenged by him because when we know who we are, it unlocks the resources of the kingdom of heaven. A son, a daughter, has direct access to the Father that others wouldn’t have. We bear His image. We are co-heirs with Christ.

Reflection:

Why do you think the tempter approached Jesus in this manner? What about you? What seed has the tempter come to you with?

Has he also questioned your identity? Your identity in Christ is a threat to him. When you know who you are, it changes everything.

Take some time to reflect on the verses for today and write what the Bible says about who you are in Christ.