The Temptation of Jesus

This is the passage where Jesus goes out into the desert for 40 days, which is represented on the Christian calendar by Lent. Just as Jesus fasted for 40 days during lent (40 days) many people fast too - though not very often do they fast from all food as Jesus did. If you don't know when lent is, it starts the day after Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday/Pancake day The Sinclair-Lee family has celebrated this every year - and often invite our American friends over for it. We do it in the traditional English manner with pancakes (the crepe kind). For lent I have been known to give up alcohol, chocolate, and at the time cigarettes. Anyway back to the passage at hand. We read about how at the end of the forty days when Jesus is at his weakest that Satan comes to tempt Him, I find it interesting that Satan quotes the bible to Christ, but that Jesus refutes what he says using another passage. Many would say that this points to contradictions in the bible, but in fact the Devil does what a lot of people do and quotes out of context if you read from verse nine you will see it says.

" 9 If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your dwelling.

11 For he orders his angels
to protect you wherever you go."

This shows that only by following God - not the devil will he be able to protect you, thus Jesus couldn't obey the devils instructions, contradicting what God says and expect protection from the Father. Interestingly not only does the Devil give up at this point, but what do you know, angels turn up to take care of Jesus, just as God had promised in the verse that Jesus had quoted moments before.