The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus’ temptation came at the end of a 40 day fast (Luke 4:1-13).  Both Moses (Deuteronomy 9:9-11) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-9) also fasted 40 days.   Each then received a special revelation from God.   But not so with Jesus, instead He was approached by the devil with a series of three temptations.  

First, Satan taunted:

“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

What is wrong with turning a stone into bread (or water into wine, for that matter)?  Nothing.  What is wrong with ending your fast?  Nothing.  The temptation is better understood from Jesus’ response.  Jesus responded by saying:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

To this taunt about His divinity He had to respond as (and remain as) a man to complete His work on the cross.  So Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3:

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

That word from the mouth of God did not provide wisdom or insight, it provided manna.  All of what man eats is ultimately at God’s command.  The temptation here is to be self-determinant and self-sufficient. It is why we have been taught to pray:

Give us this day our daily bread,

Stymied, the evil one continued by showing Jesus the kingdoms of the world and their “glory”.  Then Satan said:

“If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

What is wrong with being in charge, having authority, or being wealthy?  Nothing, depending on the purpose they serve. Which Jesus made clear in His response from Deuteronomy 6:13:

“It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

The temptation is the glory of the kingdoms of the world.  Jesus could not, however, take that place of authority and still complete His work on the cross.   It is why we are taught to pray that our relationships be level, fully engaged, and free from debt.

and forgive us our debts, 

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Again stymied, Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and says:

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

to guard you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

What is wrong with relying on the promises of God?  Nothing.  Again, we must use Jesus’ response to understand the temptation.  Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16:

“It is said, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

The one administering the test is in authority over the one taking the test.  The temptation here is to be in authority over God, the Father.  Jesus could not assume that authority and still complete His work on the cross.  This is why we are taught to pray:

Your kingdom come, 

your will be done,

We all know it.  Many have said it weekly at church. It’s the Lord’s Prayer:

Matthew 6:9-13

Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Simple petitions, but as we have seen, its three core petitions come from the temptation that Jesus faced just a few chapters earlier.  They are the desire to be in authority over:

• Oneself,
• Others,
• And God, himself.

The prayer concludes by asking that we not experience these temptations, but instead be delivered from the evil one. 

May indeed, the name of our Heavenly Father’s name be hallowed!