Thursday, November 12, 1998
Thursday, November 12, 1998
The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these
stones to become loaves of bread."
Jesus was tempted to turn stones to bread. The devil knew Jesus was "famished" after fasting for
forty days. "If you are the Son of God," the devil said, "command these stones to become loaves
of bread." People who have visited the desert where Jesus was tempted report that small rocks
cover the ground. The small rocks might look like bread to someone who has gone forty days
without food.
There's no question that Jesus could have turned stones into bread. But Jesus knew who was
tempting him and why. Jesus quoted scripture in response to the devil's challenge, "One does not
live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Jesus is saying is that
there is more to life than having a full stomach. One of the great temptations we face is the
temptation to always have more. Happiness is just around the corner if only we have more things,
or more wealth, or the finer things of life. What we really need is more of God in our lives.
Prayer: Dear God, fill me with more of you and your love. Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
(Matthew 4:3
NRSV)