A Series on Living in the Wilderness: Part
2
(Click on the link below to read the
verses.)
Luke 4:1-13
[This is Part 2
in a series of looking at people who lived in the wilderness. Not necessarily the
wilderness of nature, but the wilderness of life. In fact, there are times when
we all feel like we are living in the wilderness. During those times, it’s
important to remember that the Lord is faithful. That He loves you and is
always with you.]
In 2010, Snickers started an ad campaign called, “You’re not you when you’re hungry”.
The premise of this long running campaign was that, as a result of being hungry, a person turned into a different person, normally a celebrity. Then, once they took a bite of a Snickers bar, they returned to their normal self.
Along the same lines, a research study was recently completed and published
regarding the term “hanger”. This is a word used to describe anger resulting
from hunger. The article confirmed, “Results indicated that greater levels of
self-reported hunger were associated with greater feelings of anger”.
Twelve step programs use the acronym of HALT - which stands for hungry,
angry, lonely and tired - as a potential trigger for acting out. They didn’t
need a funny commercial or an expensive research study to know that hunger can result
in anger which can lead a person to rationalize most any behavior.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left
the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where
for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing
during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. NIV
Duh! If anyone could use hunger as an excuse for acting out, or giving
into temptation, it was Jesus. You can imagine that he might have been angry at
the whole world. So, why did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness of
Judea?
Like Israel
wandering in the wilderness for forty years, Jesus living in the wilderness for
forty days and forty nights, was a testing and preparation experience for what
he was going to face during his ministry.
But even beyond
this reason, there is another. By enduring the trials and temptations of living
in the wilderness, Jesus is able to relate to you and to me on a purely
personal and human level.
“Because he himself suffered when he was
tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews
2:18
15 For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we
are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then
approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews
4:15-16
So, the next time
you’re feeling like, “You’re not you
when you’re hungry”, ask yourself this question: is the Lord preparing you for something?
Also, keep in mind that he knows what it means to suffer and won’t judge you,
but will accept you to “receive mercy and
find grace”.
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