"The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert."
The Holy Spirit led Jesus
into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone
without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry. Then the
devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, tell these stones to
turn into bread." Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: 'No one can live only
on food. People need every word that God has spoken.' " Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on
the highest part of the temple. The devil said, "If you are God's
Son, jump off. The Scriptures say: 'God will give his angels orders
about you. They will catch you in their arms, and you won't hurt your
feet on the stones.' " Jesus answered, "The Scriptures also say, 'Don't try to
test the Lord your God!' " Finally, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and
showed him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. The devil said to
him, "I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship
me." Jesus answered, "Go away Satan! The Scriptures say:
'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.' " Then the devil left Jesus, and angels came to help him. Matthew 4:1-11 Contemporary English Version The Holy Bible (New York , NY: American Bible Society 1995) |