 Monday: Challenge of Hunger
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you are the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:3
After Christ submitted himself to be baptized in the Jordan River, he fasted
for forty days. During that time, he prayed and prepared for a whole new
phase of ministry. In the pleasant surroundings that most of us enjoy, fasting
for forty days would be a serious ordeal. That was not Jesus' approach, though.
He left the comforts of home and walked through wilderness around the Jordan,
a region that can be harsh and unforgiving.
Christ was human. He had human needs. Hunger is one of them. Christ is also
God. He has divine powers. Making food is one of them. Sensing an opportunity
to exert some influence, Satan suggested that Jesus could use His divine
powers to satisfy His human needs. Jesus refused to do it.
Keep in mind that there was nothing inherently wrong with food or eating.
Christ changed water to wine at the wedding in Cana. He fed thousands of
people with only a few loaves and a couple of fish. He used bread and wine
as symbols when He made a new covenant with His disciples.
If wine and food are so good, what was so different about stones and bread
in the desert? Why did Jesus even have a second thought about the simple
act of preparing a meal? Christ provided the answer. We do not live on bread
alone. We feed on the word of God. To put it another way, we are not here
to gratify ourselves. We exist to worship God.
We have come to the final week of our pilgrim journey. As we anticipate the
holy day of Easter and prepare for the meals that we will share to celebrate
the resurrection of our blessed Savior, let us remain mindful of our deep,
spiritual need. Food nourishes the body, but the word of God gives life to
the soul.
Holy God and giver of life, thank you for your word that feeds my soul.
If my body hungers, let it remind me of my spiritual need. If my body is
nourished, let it remind me that you give my soul strength. Let me always
remember that as your child, I am not here to gratify myself. I am here to
worship and serve you. Feed my spirit when I feed your children. Comfort
my soul when I comfort them. And when I am in need, let me gratefully receive
your blessings and your care. Amen.
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