Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 9, 2025

1st Sunday of Lent

Scripture Text: Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”

Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply,

“It is written You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”

Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from Luke recounts Jesus’ response to the devil’s temptations in the desert. The devil tests Jesus during his 40 days in the desert in the same way he tested the Israelites during their 40-year exodus in the desert: hunger (the LORD gave them manna and quail), idolatry (worship of the golden calf), and testing the LORD at Meribah because they were thirsty. Whereas the Israelites failed each, Jesus did not. Jesus responds to each test with a biblical text.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

What do I do when tested? On what do I rely? On whom do I rely?

Praying:

LORD, You are with us always and everywhere. As we make this Lenten journey to Calvary, send your Spirit to guide us and guard us as You did your beloved Son in the desert. Grant that we may grow in our love for You and our reliance upon You and your loving power and presence. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.