When I was in college, I always tried to study for major exams with guys from fraternities. At Mizzou most fraternities kept a large “test file.” Past members left their graded papers for the aid of future students. Professors often reused questions when teaching the same class semester after semester. An ecology professor added only one new question per test, the rest being repeats. The file for his course proved invaluable. Needless to say, my buddy and I scored well.

After days in the wilderness, hungry and alone, Jesus faced a tripartite test of temptation. Fortunately, Jesus knew where to find answers to the exam.

Every time Satan made an offer, Jesus hit back with a line of Scripture. For instance, realizing Jesus was hungry, Satan challenged him to turn stones into bread. Simple for the creator of the world, right? Jesus argued, man shall not live by bread alone, a quote from the book of Deuteronomy.

Jesus could have swatted Satan away. But he faced temptations in his human body to help us see what’s possible. We too can overcome attacks from the evil one, if we know the Scriptures and apply them properly. The Word of God parries the thrusts of our enemies—the world, the flesh and the devil.

When temptations arrive, you and I may feel unprepared or blindsided. But rest assured, we have answers to every test. They’re in that file we label the Bible. Let the Word of God defend and sustain you, and you’ll score well as life goes on.

Luke 4:1-13; Deuteronomy 8:3

Photo by Museums Victoria

I hardly remember being 12 years old. I was in the 3rd grade (just kidding!). Actually, more like the start of junior high school. A child that age enters puberty and all that’s familiar begins to morph. It’s the opening steps on a path to adulthood. Still a kid, but on the cusp of change.

At the age of 12, Jesus and his extended family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. When they started home, Jesus stayed behind among the teachers in the temple. He asked questions and discussed topics from the Scriptures. These teachers, we’re told, were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Mary and Joseph soon discovered their son was missing from the entourage and returned to Jerusalem, frantically searching for Jesus. It took three days to discover him in the temple surrounded by clerics and professors. Not impressed by this impromptu seminar, Mary exclaimed, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress! Jesus answers as his 12 year old self: Why were you looking for me?

This response reveals both the divinity and the humanity of Jesus. Jesus added, Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? He was drawn to the temple, the nation’s center of worship. Discussing the ways of the Lord with dedicated and learned teachers scratched an itch for Jesus. Ironically, years later he would debate many of these teachers on this very same spot.

But while Jesus reveled in the intellectual stimulation, Mary and Joseph ran all over town, scared they had lost the Messiah. When they finally burst into the room, Jesus replied like most 12 year olds with panicked parents—What’s the big deal? I was here all the time. Adult Jesus would have consoled his mother. 12 year old Jesus not so much.

I love that Luke included this snippet in his gospel narrative. Jesus returned home with his parents who, after their hearts stopped racing, took careful note of this interaction. Luke tells us that Jesus went home and continued to increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. He was helped along the way by a father and mother with a few more gray hairs, ones who reminded him to please let them know ahead of time before he took off on another overnight with the boys.

Luke 2:41-52

Photo by Europeana

The two greatest resources available to the Christian are the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. My Bible sits close by, easy to pick up, but the Holy Spirit remains mysterious. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, who he also referred to as the Helper and Spirit of Truth. I know one thing I need in this cacophonous world is a trusted source of truth.

The Holy Spirit appears in the Bible literally from day one: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The Spirit of God anticipated the acts of creation. In the Spirit’s presence light dawned for the first time. The stars aligned, plants formed, animals emerged, and humankind stepped into the garden—the Spirit of God present step by step.

In much the same way the Spirit of God hovers over our world. The Holy Spirit remains quietly at hand, ready to illuminate my life with the wisdom of God and the fruit produced by his hand: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I just need to ask him to shine in the dark corners of my life and empower me to follow his will.

We cannot see him, but the Spirit of God hovers near at hand. Ask him to light up your life and see where the Spirit takes you.

Genesis 1:1-3; John 14:16-17; Galatians 5:22-23

Photo by Shubhankar Bhowmick

It’s easy in this world of 24/7 news feeds to find myself worried and unsettled. It doesn’t help that angst prevails among every single person displayed on my screens. But this world has always produced fears and trepidations, wars and rumors of wars, economies good and bad. Troubled hearts, despite our tendency to view the past through rose-colored glasses, are not a new phenomenon.

Jesus, at an intimate dinner with his disciples, spoke to their fears: Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Then Jesus explained hope in three parts. First, he readies a mansion for all who follow him. In my Father’s house are many rooms…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Along with this future promise, Jesus opens the door to a mysterious connection in the here and now: I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Finally, Jesus reveals an underlying truth too amazing, too wonderful to fully comprehend. Those who follow him become blood brothers with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

The Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering me. Grafted into an amazing association of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A room in his mansion, together with all those who also follow Jesus, reserved for me in heaven. These truths, stacked on top of each other, create a powerful counter to the worries of this world. Small wonder Jesus said, Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

John 14

Photo by Tom Barrett