It Stands Written

Devotional for Tuesday, February 25, 1997 by Cassandra Wessel

Let's leap backward a thousand years or so. Dripping wet from the Jordan's waters, the newly baptized Messiah was driven by the Holy Spirit into the desert. After fasting forty days and nights, Jesus was exhausted and famished. Like Eve, he became vulnerable. Slithering into the picture came the Satan, the accuser. It used the same approach on Christ that it had used on Eve. Creating doubt had worked on Eve. So it said, "If you are the Son of God, do something useful; turn these stones into bread for yourself." But the true Bread of Life would not be tricked. Jesus answered, "It stands written, Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus checked the accuser's move with God's word. So Satan tried another old approach. Distortion of God's word had worked with Eve, but it would not work with Jesus. From the highest pinnacle of the temple Jesus cried out, "It also stands written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Deuteronomy 6:16) So the Serpent tried yet another old approach. It had told Eve, "You will become as gods knowing..." Eve hadn't a clue what good and evil meant, but she had known God. To be exalted. What a temptation! To be above. More important. Higher. It worked with Eve, but not Jesus. From the highest mountain, with all the kingdoms and glory of this world in view, Jesus commanded, "Away from me, Satan! For it stands written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." (Deuteronomy 6:13)

When tempted, what has been our response? Do we say with St. Paul, "Oh wretch that I am, who will rescue me...? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25)

Prayer: Almighty God, Thank you for Your grace. Thank You for setting us free. Thank You, Saviour for Your obedience. We ask in Your name to cancel the effect of Adam's disobedience in our lives. Enable us to trust and obey. Enable us to confidently answer God's call to us. For we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Cassandra Wessel <casswessel@ymail.com>
Tionesta, Pennsylvania, USA

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