Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)
Read Luke 4:1-13 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 4Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, Verse 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. Verse 3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Verse 4Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Verse 5Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. Verse 6And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. Verse 7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Verse 8Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Verse 9Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, Verse 10for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' Verse 11and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Verse 12Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Verse 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Devotion
We are instructed by Jesus to pray for our daily bread. Jesus himself rejects temptation to turn stone to bread to satisfy his own hunger. A woman at our food pantry a few years back helped me with this contradiction. She saw me after the devotional service prior to our grocery distribution. She spoke privately and candidly. "You know, Pastor," she said, "the food you give us isn't that great — mostly starch and staples. But the bread of life from heaven you preach is worth admission."
Prayer
Holy One of Israel, hear our prayers for daily bread and the bread of life. We ask through the one whose body is bread for us. Amen.