Daily Devotions
40 Days and 40 Nights
"In those days He ate nothing..."
Text: Luke 4:2
A SPECIAL FASTING PERIOD
Moses was called to go up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. He spent forty days and forty nights in the presence of God (Exodus 24:18). The Lord Jesus spent the same amount of time in the wilderness in the presence of God. We can only make an educated guess that the Lord Jesus spent time meditating and praying about the ministry that God wanted Him to fulfil.
1. A Great Light
He would be that great Light that shines in the darkness (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:13-17).
2. Son of David
He would be that incognito King (Called “the Rod” and “the Branch”) {Isaiah 11:1}.
3. Covenant
He would bring in the New Covenant (Isaiah 42:6).
4. Extensive ministry
We have a glimpse of the extensive ministry that the Lord Jesus was entrusted with: –
a) A light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6).
b) To open blind eyes (Isaiah 42:7).
c) To bring out prisoners (Isaiah 42:7).
d) To be that special Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 49:5).
e) To restore the preserved ones of Israel (Isaiah 49:6).
f) To be God’s salvation to the whole earth (Isaiah 49:6).
5. Great suffering involved
Jesus would also have to undergo a great deal of suffering before He can offer salvation to mankind.
a) He would be despised (Isaiah 53:3).
b) He would be rejected (Isaiah 53:3).
c) He would be wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5).
d) He would be bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).
e) He would be beaten with many stripes (Isaiah 53:5).
f) He would be oppressed and afflicted (Isaiah 53:7).
g) He would be cut off from the land of the living (Isaiah 53:8).
NO SMALL FEAT
The task of the Lord Jesus would be no small feat. That He would need to spend 40 days and 40 nights in the presence of His Father in heaven was truly wisdom.
During this period, He must seek to fully equip and ready Himself for the greatest destiny ever! He must first overcome the wiles of the devil. He must defeat him even when He was at His weakest moment, physically speaking. He must triumph over Satan as the Son of Man! Then He must proceed to commence His task of becoming the Saviour of the world.