He Dwelt Among Men

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

The old axiom that you really do not know someone else until you walk a mile in their shoes is so very, very true. We can pass judgement on someone (but should not in any case) because of how they act or appear at a given time. Yet we do not know what has transpired, or is transpiring in their lives to lead them to the condition we observe. But the Son of God, fresh from being baptised is led up into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit (an equal part of the triune God as Jesus himself) to be tempted by the devil. What ensues is in essence something no other deity can claim. Jesus walk among men, with all the frailities of man. he was by hunger, thirst, testing God the Father to show His love for His Son, and power over all the kingdoms of the earth. On this scale our temptations seem little at best. And yet Jesus showed His resolve, and faith in the Father. He possessed a strength we can aspire to, yet not achieve without His help through the Holy Spirit. Jesus experienced all the feelings in His time on earth that you and I feel in our own lives. Love &anger, hunger & plenty, companionship & abandonment. And through it all he maintained His faith. I cannot say that has always been the case in my live. How about you? And that is why we (you and I) need to always lean on Jesus. He is the source of our redemption. He is our redeemer and He lives with us each and every day of our lives. There is no one I trust more than someone who has walked a mile in my shoes. And brothers and sisteres in the risen Savior, Jesus has been there and done that and bought the T-shirt. To Him be all the glory in all that we do.

PRAYER: Lord our lives can seem complicated at times. We place ourselves into situations that severely challenge our lives, our resolve, and even our faith. You walked in our shoes. You know what we go through in our lives. Help Dear Lord to stand firm in times of testing. Help us to clearly hear Your voice above all the other voices distracting us from You. Guide us precious Shepherd. We ask this in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God now and forever.  Amen.