March 8th, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Tuesday, March 8
JESUS IN THE DESERT by Jeff Allen
Matthew 4:1-11
Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.”
Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.”
After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”
Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.”
Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.”
The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him.
Reflection
Is it weird to say “Pretend you’re Jesus?” Well, I’m gonna say it. Pretend you’re Jesus! Imagine you’re about to face the toughest trial of your entire life. You’re led into an interesting space and you’re not sure what is about to happen. The catch is you’re not alone. The Devil shows up.
The Devil. Is this Satan? Is this the representation of ‘evil?’ Is this your anxiety or depression? Is this the baggage you carry with you from your past? No matter what it might be, now you’re being tempted. Tempted to pull away from your purpose and instead to prove yourself to something to which you owe absolutely nothing.
Perhaps you’re finding that the better good of what you’re trying to accomplish is being completely derailed by these temptations. You could easily find yourself giving in to the need to accommodate these distractions.
In the text, Jesus is tempted just like we often are. Jesus understand the trials and tribulations of our lives just like anyone. After all, Jesus felt human emotions, as he was both God and man. (John 1:14) Also, we don’t know why Jesus was led to be tempted, although I surmise that it was to demonstrate his humanity. Isn’t it a relief knowing that Jesus understands and knows from experience? In fact, he was tested by a “Devil” who knew the scriptures very well. In other words, his temptations understood him and knew just how to get to him. I don’t know about you, but that sounds every bit like the temptations in my life.
Verse 11 shows us that Jesus overcame these temptations. Understanding how to cope with the challenges in our lives, much like Jesus knew the counterpoints to the scriptures the Devil tried to use against him, will allow us to overcome our personal temptations and succeed.
Questions for Contemplation
Prayer
Dearest Lord Jesus, You overcame temptations like I have never experienced before. Yet I do have my own challenges. Lord, help me to hone the skills it takes to unpack why these temptations are in my life and how I can overcome them. Lord, be my protector and my teacher. In your name I pray: Amen.
JESUS IN THE DESERT by Jeff Allen
Matthew 4:1-11
Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.”
Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.”
After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”
Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.”
Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.”
The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him.
Reflection
Is it weird to say “Pretend you’re Jesus?” Well, I’m gonna say it. Pretend you’re Jesus! Imagine you’re about to face the toughest trial of your entire life. You’re led into an interesting space and you’re not sure what is about to happen. The catch is you’re not alone. The Devil shows up.
The Devil. Is this Satan? Is this the representation of ‘evil?’ Is this your anxiety or depression? Is this the baggage you carry with you from your past? No matter what it might be, now you’re being tempted. Tempted to pull away from your purpose and instead to prove yourself to something to which you owe absolutely nothing.
Perhaps you’re finding that the better good of what you’re trying to accomplish is being completely derailed by these temptations. You could easily find yourself giving in to the need to accommodate these distractions.
In the text, Jesus is tempted just like we often are. Jesus understand the trials and tribulations of our lives just like anyone. After all, Jesus felt human emotions, as he was both God and man. (John 1:14) Also, we don’t know why Jesus was led to be tempted, although I surmise that it was to demonstrate his humanity. Isn’t it a relief knowing that Jesus understands and knows from experience? In fact, he was tested by a “Devil” who knew the scriptures very well. In other words, his temptations understood him and knew just how to get to him. I don’t know about you, but that sounds every bit like the temptations in my life.
Verse 11 shows us that Jesus overcame these temptations. Understanding how to cope with the challenges in our lives, much like Jesus knew the counterpoints to the scriptures the Devil tried to use against him, will allow us to overcome our personal temptations and succeed.
Questions for Contemplation
- Name your “Devil.” What are the temptations in your life?
- As Jesus rebuts the Devil’s tempting scripture quotations, how might you counter your own temptations?
Prayer
Dearest Lord Jesus, You overcame temptations like I have never experienced before. Yet I do have my own challenges. Lord, help me to hone the skills it takes to unpack why these temptations are in my life and how I can overcome them. Lord, be my protector and my teacher. In your name I pray: Amen.
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
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