Lenten Journey - Matthew 4:11 - Day 5

Day 5 Matthew 4:11


Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Having withstood three of the devil’s best temptations, Jesus rebuked the devil and he left. By standing on God’s Word and resisting Satan’s lies, Jesus stood firm and remained the “sinless” Son of God. Although the devil left him, he will come back into the picture later to try and deter Jesus from his mission at another crucial point. And then the passage says, “Angels came and attended to him.” The angels could have come earlier, but they allow Jesus to pass the test and thus strengthen his resolve. From the verse, it appears they came in bodily form as Satan had done as well. The angels congratulated Jesus and rejoiced in his victory over the evil. They attended his needs. Quite possibly they could have brought food and helped restore need for food, water and rest. We have precedence for this, as the angel ministered to Elijah in the desert, fed him and strengthened him. This reminds us of Paul’s promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overcome you that is not common to all humankind. And God will provide the way of escape so you may be able to withstand the trial.”

What trial are you going through today, where you need to hear this promise? Like Jesus, you can withstand any temptation the evil one throws at you through God’s escape plan.

Jesus, we know you were tempted in every way but did not sin. Help us in our time of trial to hold on to your promises and look for your escape route. In your name, Amen. 

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