At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desolate place to be tested by the accuser. And after he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was famished. Then the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But he answered, saying, “It is written, people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”
Then the accuser took him into the holy city and caused him to stand on the top of the temple, and he said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will charge his angels concerning you,’ and ‘Upon their hands they will raise you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'” Jesus said to him, “It is further written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.'”
Again, the accuser took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Depart Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'”
Then the accuser departed from him, and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Technorati tags: Lent 1A, Matthew 4:1-11, paraphrase
A Far Country 