The ‘sonship’ of Jesus is tested. The true enemy is revealed as the devil who lies and tempts; three times seeking to lure Jesus to act independently of his Father. The temptations are plausible, attractive and logical; there are echoes of Israel’s forty-year wandering in the wilderness all the while grumbling for bread, flirting with idolatry, and putting God continually to the test. But where Israel failed, Jesus will succeed; he remains true to God the Father by holding to his word.
• In what ways are you acting independently of God?
• What temptations are most common to you?
• What helps you to resist?
• Have you learnt to distinguish the attractive lies of the devil from the voice of God?
