JANUARY 17, Luke 4:1-13

There was a documentary on National Geographic about a French cave explorer who fell into a deep maze of caves while exploring them alone. Guess how many days did that man go without food? 35 days. At the end of the ordeal, he was absolutely without any energy, lying almost dead when rescuers found him; it was a real miracle that he survived. Yes, he had lost about 40 pounds of fat and muscles, but his mind was still alert. How hungry and thirsty do you think a man like that would be?

From today’s text, we learn that Jesus was without food for an even longer period - 40 days! At Jesus’ weakest, Satan tempted Him. Satan knew the first thing on the mind of Jesus would be material replenishment; thus he tempted Jesus with the idea of turning stones into bread. Was it wrong for Jesus to eat bread? No, of course not! However, Jesus wanted to be like any other human - to be totally helpless in the physical sense. us He went through the 40-day fast voluntarily. It would have been wrong for Jesus to turn stones to bread as He would then be using His powers to solve His human problems. He would not have been living with the weaknesses of being “fully Man”! Thank God that Jesus went through those temptations, for He was better able to understand the weaknesses of man after having been physically weak himself.

Do you at times wonder whether Jesus understands your problem? Maybe you are bullied in school? Maybe you feel stressed with your mountain of homework? Maybe you have few friends? Remember that Jesus can understand your problems fully. Even if mummy or daddy may not be able to fully know the extent of your worries, Jesus does. So go to God in prayer and seek His strength to solve your problems.

Thought: What a wonderful and understanding Saviour in Jesus!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus is such a wonderful Saviour who understands my every need and weakness. As I come to You now, You know all my problems and that sometimes no one else knows them. Heavenly Father, to You I commit these problems of (...share your problems here). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.