The Temptations Are A Proclamation Of Victory

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

March 11, 2025

in Spritual Growth

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Readings: Deuteronomy 26: 7-11
Romans 10: 5-13
Luke 4:1-13

1st Sunday of Lent – Archbishop Hines

Today is the first Sunday of Lent, leading to Christ’s death, burial and resurrection on Easter. The Gospel today speaks out so loudly of God’s love and commitment to us. We have lost sight in so many things that God has done for us. He speaks to us clearly but we do not allow ourselves to really listen to Him. Today’s Gospel also speaks of the finalization of His work in us. God has given us so much that no one has the power to take it away from us except us, when we choose the enemy’s way. In order to understand the whole context, we should be reminded of history. Christ was born of a human. He became flesh to identify Himself with man. Born of a Jewish family, they meditated upon the law. They followed the rules and obeyed God’s instructions.

At the age of 12, Jesus was able to discuss and debate with the Scribes and Teachers concerning the Law. God had given wisdom to His humanity in order for Him to express what was in His heart. His parents were worried looking for Him because He had been missing for three days. And when they finally found Him and asked Him where He had been, He answered, “don’t you know I am about my Father’s business?”

At the age of 30, He gets baptized by John in the River Jordan. When He got out of the water, the heavens split open and God’s voice was heard, saying, “You are My Son.” And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, a powerful confirmation that He was being empowered as the Son of God. After this incident, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness. Christ had to be put to the test and face opposition by being tempted by the devil. He was in the wilderness for 40 days without food and was naturally hungry. The devil starts tempting Him by telling Him to change the rock into bread so He could eat. But Christ responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the Mouth of God.” Then He was led up to the mountain top where Satan tells Jesus that all the kingdoms of the world will become His if only He would bow down to worship him. Again, Jesus did not give in. Then He was led to the pinnacle of the temple where Satan this time, challenged Him to jump, for the angels would surely save Him. Once more, Jesus stood His ground and did not succumb to the devil’s wishes. Finally, Satan left. And the angels came down to minister to Him. After He had passed all these tests and temptations, He was now sure that He was strong enough to conquer all odds.

Therefore, God bestowed upon Him with a Name that is above all names, that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Having destroyed the works of the enemy, we have been given the power to do His tasks. Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed. Resist the devil and he will flee. If we know that He is in us, then we need not fear the deceptions of the enemy. Rather than seeing the temptations in the wilderness as a defeat, we should see it as a proclamation of victory.