This Week's Devo

Sorting Out Priorities

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God … I was sent for this purpose.”—Luke 4:43

Busy is my middle name. Or at least it feels like it should be. The word seems to be the simplest description for my constant state of being. 

That’s not always a good thing. 

While idle hands are considered the devil’s workshop, hands that never rest can be just as dangerous. A life that never hits pause can silently slip from purpose-driven priorities to circumstantial drifting. 

I blame my busy condition on my 96-year-old grandmother. This sweet woman, who stands at a whopping 4 feet 8 inches, is the closest thing to the energizer bunny I’ve ever seen. Her hands are rarely idle and her drive seems endless. Yet, even sweet Mamaw knows when to slow down—a lesson I’m apparently committed to learning the hard way.

It seems that my efforts of slowing down often increase the weight of competing demands. My fairly timed to-do list—full of all necessary and spiritually rewarding tasks—becomes a pressure cooker of urgency. It’s in those moments when I feel the temptation to let circumstances set my priorities rather than my God-given purpose. As though a war has been waged between urgent needs—physical, spiritual, and emotional—and eternal purpose. 

Jesus knew this tension well.

After forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was experiencing the press of physical hunger, emotional isolation, and the weight of His newly affirmed identity. Under the pressure of these urgent needs, the devil introduces a series of temptations designed to divert Jesus from His mission. But what we learn from Jesus in response to temptation goes far beyond resisting sin. He teaches us to protect our purpose. 

Just before Jesus’ time in the wilderness He experienced what we might consider a mountain top moment.  His cousin, John, had been preparing the way for the Messiah by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In response, crowds came in droves to be baptized. When Jesus shows up to be baptized everything changes. As He was raised from the water, the Heavens opened. And unlike any other baptism that day, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. Can you imagine such a glorious display? Heavens opening, the Holy Spirit in bodily form for all to see. Then, in an incredible climax, the voice of God resonated across the sky, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”

So as the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, He has just experienced a very public affirmation from the Father and a clear confirmation of His calling on earth. 

Yet, even on the coat tails of this commissioning moment, the wilderness has left Him tired, hungry, and alone. The devil doesn’t play fair— he never does—as he slyly moves in and uses Jesus’ very urgent needs against Him. 

First, he caters to the physical pressure of Jesus’ forty-day-fast—hunger. For me, hunger can bring out the Gollum in me—obsession, distortion, and consuming desire for the one thing I believe I can’t live without. An offer to turn stones into bread would have me lunging for instant gratification like Gollum for his precious ring. But as the devil offers this very solution to Jesus, we see a devoted response to long-term obedience over immediate relief.  

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”—Luke 4:4

Jesus chose to trust the Father over self-provision.

Seeing that Jesus would not succumb to physical pressure, he switched tactics—he offered Jesus a spiritual shortcut. As he revealed all the kingdoms of the world he then offered to give Jesus glory and authority over them—all that was required was for Jesus to worship him. 

Jesus was already promised glory and authority, but He knew that the only path to reaching that was the cross. He’s tired, hungry, alone, and feeling the weight of the coming cross. This offer truly was a temptation to skip to the end without the gruesome details of crucifixion. But Jesus knew that there would be no power without His sacrifice. 

Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’”—Luke 4:8

He chose God’s plan over the devil’s shortcut. 

Finally, in his last attempt to derail Jesus, the devil preyed on Jesus’ weariness of isolation. Emotional validation is a powerful thing. In a world where we constantly feel the need to prove ourselves, it’s exhilarating and inspiring when someone confirms our worth. The devil tries to tempt Jesus to prove himself—turning sonship into something that must be earned.

If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, He will order his angels to protect and guard you…”—Luke 4:9b-10a

Jesus rebukes the devil as He exemplifies the truth that our identity is rooted in the Father, not in our performance. With each temptation, Jesus turns away from momentary relief to remain aligned with His God-given purpose.

Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by using God’s Word, but Scripture was not merely His weapon—it was His anchor. He trusted the Father’s words so deeply that they shaped not only His responses but His motivation.

His resistance flowed from settled priorities rather than raw discipline.

Though the devil fled and Jesus stood victorious over temptations, it wouldn’t be the last time that pressure pressed against purpose. 

As He engaged in His mission, preaching the good news and healing the sick, the people wanted more. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet real needs and win hearts, but Jesus knew that He must continue on. His mission was meant for everyone, not just this one loving and enthused crowd. 

“I must preach the good news… for this purpose I was sent.”—Luke 4:43

Jesus chose purpose over popularity.

Calling over comfort.

Mission over momentum. 

Because He knew His priority, He stayed the course and modeled clarity even amid pressure cooker urgency. And the unexpected beauty of it all? His purpose-driven actions drew others to do the same. Even when He no longer walked the earth, His disciples lived with purpose-driven clarity, turning the world upside down for the sake of the gospel. 

We are guaranteed to face circumstances that shout louder than the whisper of our calling. We will experience pressures that wage war within our spirit and prey on our weariness. But Jesus has revealed that the path of our purpose must be protected by our priorities. 

Priorities aren’t proven in calm moments—they’re revealed under pressure.

Jesus was able to quiet the shouting of urgent needs by prioritizing His purpose and in so doing He enabled redemption. 

What might God do through you if your priorities stayed anchored—no matter the circumstance?