Jesus went into the desert. It was very hot there. No water. No food. Only sand, stones and sun. Jesus stayed there for a very long time – forty days! And he didn’t eat anything. His stomach growled loudly because he was hungry. But Jesus prayed to God and knew: God is always with him.
Suddenly someone came. It was the devil. He wanted to bring Jesus to evil. He said, “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread. Then you don’t have to be hungry anymore!”
But Jesus shook his head. “No! Man lives not only by bread, but by God’s words.” Jesus knew that God’s words are much more important than food.
Then the devil led Jesus to a high tower. “Jump down! God will surely catch you!” he said.
But Jesus remained calm and said: “No! You can’t challenge God!” Jesus knew: One should trust God, not test.
Then the devil Jesus showed all the riches of the world. “I’ll give you everything! You just have to worship me!”
But Jesus said firmly: “Go away, devil! I only worship God.”
Then the devil disappeared. Immediately, angels came and took care of Jesus. God was proud of His Son, for Jesus had not listened to the devil.
Message of history
When we trust in God, He helps us to do the right thing. His words are our strength!
Bible passage
The story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is found in Matthew 4:1-11:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And when he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry at last.
And the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, say that these stones become bread.”
But he answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”
Then the devil took him into the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” For it is written, “He will give command to his angels because of you, and they will carry you in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’
Again the devil took him up a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory
And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Depart, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.”
Then the devil left him; and behold, angels came and ministered to him.”
