What are you hungry for, friend?
What impresses you about Jesus, friend?
It's a good question, isn't it? Have you ever thought about it?
I'm impressed by Jesus' steadfastness.
Steadfastness is a word that is hardly ever used anymore. What does it imply? It is associated with always staying the same even when circumstances change. Something or Someone who can be trusted. Even when temptations come.
Ah, this immediately reminds me of the great temptation written about in Luke 4: "There the devil tempted him for 40 days. Jesus ate nothing during that time. At the end of the 40 days, he was hungry. " (Luke 4:2-3 NIRV)
I don't know what you're like when you're hungry, friend, but I'm good for nothing until I get something in my stomach. Jesus, however, remained steadfast. He did not let this distract Him from His values, let alone from His goal.
For He had understood something important, and He lives it out to you and me through this experience: "Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man must not live only on bread.” (Luke 4:4 NIRV)
Bread was at that moment what Jesus would have needed, humanly speaking, against His hunger. But out of His steadfastness—He always remains the same, even when circumstances change—He knew this human factor was not as important as the heavenly factor.
Because: the Divine heavenly truth always eclipses the human factor.
And that's why, in spite of hunger, in spite of temptation, yes, in spite of everything, Scripture goes on to say, "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit. News about him spread through the whole countryside." (Luke 4:14 NIRV)
friend, despite hunger, despite temptation, despite everything, He returned full of power!
What then is your hunger? Are you longing for love? For financial security? For improved health? Stand firm in your faith and trust God. And, let the same truth guide you out of your desert that guided Jesus: God's Word.
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105 NIV)
You are a miracle!