Jesus was tempted.

We know the story is there, but it isn’t our favorite, is it? Somehow it tarnishes our ideas about Jesus. Was he as wimpy as we are, almost ready to step over the edge of whatever morality we might have left, at the first offer?

Ray Stedman, great twentieth-century preacher, remembered a morning at a restaurant. He was the featured speaker at a large church conference out east and was finishing his presentation notes as he ate breakfast. The eatery had unique décor, including good quality and artfully fashioned pewter salt and pepper shakers on the tables along with matching creamers. Pastor Stedman knew that these would nicely complement his wife’s collection. Every table had a set, so the restaurant obviously had more in its backroom storage. Pewterware cost a bit, but i…