Can I have some more?

Food holds a significant place among humanity for various reasons.

In large swaths of the globe, food is vitally important because there is either a great lack of it, or resources so scarce that attaining a single meal each day is not a certainty.

In other parts of the world, food is a primary indulgence. It’s not a focal point simply for its nutritional value or as sustenance for our bodies, but as a means of enjoyment and pleasure.

That’s why it is so common to see people posting photos on social media sites of what they’re about to eat, what they just ate, or even what they want to eat. In fact, food is one on the most commonly shared items on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

We post pictures of succulent culinary creations, favorite “comfort” foods, and decadent desserts. We share about what we hunger for.

Jesus knew hunger.

Prior to the launch of His earthly ministry, Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness, where He was tempted by the devil. He fasted during this time, and the natural result was that Jesus became very hungry (Mt. 4:2). If you’ve ever gone very long without eating, you know it can be easy for your mind to become consumed with thoughts of food. You dream of favorite foods and meals, and anything to eat.

Satan honed in on the hunger raging in Jesus and used it as a source of temptation:

“… If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread,” Matthew 4:3b.

The temptation was simple: do whatever it takes, and use your resources, to feed your hunger.

Jesus responded directly to the larger issue of the temptation, which was something bigger than just food:

“But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”,'” Matthew 4:4.

As physically hungry as Jesus was, He had a greater hunger — to do the will of the Father. That hunger is the one Jesus fed, and as a result, He could make all other hungers subservient to meeting that primary one.

What are you hungry for? What hungers are you feeding? What are you indulging on?

Scotty