Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. ³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 8:2,3

For forty days [Jesus] was tested by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them, he was hungry.

³ The devil said to him, “Since you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

Luke 4:2-4

The LORD heard the cries of his children and sent Moses to bring them out of Egypt. When they were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharoah’s chariots, the LORD made a way through the waters and into the wilderness.

When the world was enslaved to sin, the LORD made a way, brought a child out of Egypt and through the waters of the Jordan. “This is my Son,” the LORD announced. The Spirit descended and led Jesus into the wilderness.

The LORD tested Israel’s heart for forty years. Jesus was tried for forty days.

Israel’s stomach growled and she grumbled against Moses and God. “You have brought us out into this wilderness to starve!” (Exodus 16:3) Her empty belly revealed her fickle heart. She bowed before the golden calf and worshiped it as her provider.

Jesus hungered and the devil hissed, “Tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “Man shall not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus succeeded where Israel had failed. Where all have failed. Dependent on the LORD alone in the wilderness.

Reflection

• Do I tend to my spiritual hunger as faithfully and diligently as my physical hunger?

Our Prayer

LORD, as we deprive our bodies of what they want in this Lenten season, increase our spiritual appetites and our dependence on you. Feed our souls with the Word, the Bread of Life.

Thank you for sending Jesus to be faithful for the unfaithful.

Amen.