Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

Devotion based on Luke 4:1-2

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Still dripping from the waters of his baptism, the Holy Spirit hurled Jesus into the wilderness—not for rest and relaxation, but to go toe-to-toe with the old evil foe. For forty days, he wandered in the desert with nothing to eat. And then, the devil came with his temptations.

It’s a simple thought that worms into our minds and then spreads like wildfire: “Can you really trust God?” The devil wanted Jesus to doubt God’s words. At his baptism, God had declared, “You are my Son, whom I love!” But now, the devil whispered, “Are you sure? You don’t look like God’s Son. You’re weak, hungry, and all alone. If God really loved you, wouldn’t he take better care of you?”

That’s exactly how the devil works! He used this same method with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he does the same to us today. He sneaks thoughts into our minds that spread like wildfire: “Can you really trust what God says?” He tempts us to chase short-term pleasures instead of trusting God’s long-term plan. He tells us, “Go ahead, take what you want. You deserve it!” He convinces us to be greedy, selfish, and impatient. And let’s be honest, we’ve all fallen for his tricks more times than we’d like to admit.

That’s why this gospel reading is so amazing! It’s not just a “how-to” guide for defeating temptation. It’s about Jesus, our champion. He didn’t just come to show us how to be strong—he came to be strong for us. He left behind the glory, power, and praise of heaven to live a life of perfect humility and obedience. Where Adam, Eve, and every person in history have failed, Jesus was perfectly victorious.

And here’s the best part: Jesus gives that victory to you. He didn’t just fight the battle against the devil—he fought for you. By God’s undeserved love and the Holy Spirit’s power, his victory is now yours!

So, the next time you feel tempted, remember: Jesus already won. Trust him. When you fail (and we all do), turn to him for forgiveness. He is always ready to love, restore, and strengthen you!

Lord Jesus, you defeated the devil and his temptations for us. Help us trust in your perfect strength when we face temptations. Forgive us when we fail and restore to us the joy of your salvation. In your name, we pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above