NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: Jesus Fasted – He Knows How You Feel

Lee Wilson on January 23, 2026

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ²where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. ³The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

⁵The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

⁸Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

⁹The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
¹¹they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹²Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

¹³When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

HE KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL

It seems a bit perplexing to consider the temptations of Jesus. As believers, we affirm the divine nature of Christ, meaning He is not bound by the limitations of ordinary men.

So how can human temptations really work on Jesus? If He is God in the flesh, a mere human enticement would be no match for Him, right? Part of the significance lies in the fact that while He was fully God, He was also fully man.

He felt hungry, He felt tired, He felt happy, and He felt sad—all in the same way you and I experience those things. This is not to be scoffed at; it is a pivotal element of this passage.

We have all heard the refrain “I know how you feel” before. It is a common attempt to assuage an aching heart, but it can easily seem to drip with insincerity. In one of the Harry Potter movies, Harry is being comforted after losing his godfather. He had already lost both of his parents and a close friend. His professor attempts to comfort him by saying, “I know how you feel,” to which Harry replies sharply, “No, you don’t.”

In instances like this, it can almost make things worse to try to relate to someone experiencing something you have never had to endure. We don’t want a disingenuous attempt at relatability—we want the real thing.

We want to find someone who has been through it before to tell us, “It’s okay. I made it through, so you can too.” When we lost our infant daughter, I clung to the words of parents who had been through similar loss, hoping we could find eventual peace.

When Jesus comes to earth as a human being, it is so He can look us in the eye and say, “I know how you feel,” and mean the full weight of that statement. He hadn’t eaten in forty days, was sleeping in a rocky and unforgiving desert, and stood face to face with evil incarnate.

The full intensity of His temptations, according to theologian R. C. Sproul, is said to have been greater than what any moral human could endure—and yet, He did. Now, when you find yourself worn down by the grind of life, stressed out and tired in your own personal desert, you can cling to the hope found in His resolve.

We serve a God who has been through every hurt, pain, and stress we have ever felt—even unto death. And He overcame it all. Praise God for this truth.

Though we may walk through the wilderness from time to time, if we keep His Word in our hearts and minds, He will help us overcome it all—even death.

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

Digging Deeper: Jesus Fasted – Should We?

Lee Wilson on January 22, 2026

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

⁸Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

⁹The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
¹¹they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹²Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

¹³When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

JESUS FASTED – SHOULD WE?

When Jesus was baptized and subsequently led into the wilderness by the Spirit, He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Depriving the human body of food for that period of time would obviously require restfulness and plenty of hydration, and under no circumstances would it have been easy.

So why did He do it? Jesus, we believe, is fully God but also fully human. He was most definitely hungry and tired by this point and no doubt felt exhaustion. His ability to relate to us and our human needs is certainly relevant when we think about why He endured temptation and fasting—but might there be a deeper meaning?

The first temptation of man took place in Eden. Adam and Eve, unlike Jesus, had full bellies and lived in a world free of sin. Animals were subservient to them, and every need was provided amid a lush and green garden. In this place of abundance, they chose sin.

Jesus, on the other hand, was in the midst of a harsh wilderness, surrounded by “wild animals” (Mark 1:13) that would pose a great risk to a solitary human. The Judean wilderness is more aptly described as a rocky desert with a harsh, arid climate. Its inhabitants include the Arabian leopard, caracals, and scorpions like the aptly named “deathstalker.” The canyons and peaks might make for pretty pictures, but it is no place for a man to live.

It was in this harsh terrain, juxtaposed with the lush Garden of Eden, that Jesus was led by the Spirit to go. His humanity was hungry, tired, and withered. And there, He came face to face with the Devil, to whom “all authority” in this world had been given (Luke 4:6).

In the middle of desolation, we find a clear picture of holiness. In a place where carnal temptations would be at their greatest, Jesus perseveres by the power of the Spirit and keeps Scripture on His tongue to send the Devil away unsuccessful. Where Adam failed, Jesus redeemed.

We find ourselves living in a sinful world every day, lush with temptations and trials. We are still under the curse of original sin, and thus we need the faithful hand of God to help us through. Fasting and prayer are one way we can seek God’s guidance, especially when facing trials.

In fact, Jesus speaks as though He expects us to fast (Matthew 6:16–18). So how might we approach it? Pastor John Piper describes fasting as “a temporary renunciation of something that is in itself good, like food, in order to intensify our expression of need for something greater—namely, God and His work in our lives.”

We are not commanded to fast; it is not an explicit mandate. But if Jesus is our perfect example to follow, then I think it is prudent for us to examine its place in our lives. It may not even be a food fast—maybe it’s technology or coffee, or maybe it’s abstaining from watching the Braves (easy to do in 2025, so maybe that doesn’t count).

Whatever it may be, I pray that you find a way to connect with Jesus a little more deeply by doing so. I pray you find your “temporary renunciation” so that you can “intensify your expression of need for something greater.”

Reservations at the King’s Table

Kevin Burrell on January 21, 2026

Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s caregiver heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.

2 Samuel 4:4

RESERVATIONS AT THE KING’S TABLE

There are moments in life when we feel the weight of our own brokenness. Have you ever been there? I certainly have. We carry wounds from our past, failures that haunt us, and weaknesses that make us feel “spiritually crippled.” Like Mephibosheth hiding in an empty, barren place, we often retreat to our cave of shame—convinced that God could never want someone like us, or even use someone like us, because of our past failures and mistakes.

In a similar way, that is the story of Mephibosheth. He was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. When he was a small child, news came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. His caregiver tried to flee with him, but in the rush she dropped him, and he became “permanently crippled in both feet” (2 Samuel 4:4).

Many years later, when David became king, he remembered his covenant with his best friend, Jonathan. He sought out and found Mephibosheth living in obscurity and fear, expecting hostility because he was a descendant of the former king.

Instead, David brought Mephibosheth into his household and gave him a permanent place at the king’s table—treating him like one of his own sons (2 Samuel 9).

Listen closely: Mephibosheth’s story is more than a historical account—it’s a living picture of the gospel. It’s your story. It’s my story. Just as Mephibosheth was dropped, wounded, and left unable to help himself, all of humanity has been left wounded, scared, and crippled by sin. You carry spiritual brokenness you did not choose, and you may often hide in fear, shame, or a sense of unworthiness.

Yet just as King David sought out Mephibosheth—not because he had anything to offer, not because he had earned favor, but simply because of a covenant of love—

In the same way, God seeks you. Not because you are strong, but because He is faithful. Not because you are worthy, but because of the covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus.

Listen—God is not waiting for you to be perfect before welcoming you to His banquet table. He is not waiting for you to have your life all cleaned up. Your scars, weaknesses, and failures don’t push Him away; they simply magnify the beauty of His grace and mercy.

Come to Jesus just as you are. He loves you unconditionally—and He has a chair reserved just for you at the King’s table.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 44 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: The Lord’s Prayer

Lee Wilson on January 21, 2026

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

⁸Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

⁹The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
¹¹they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹²Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

¹³When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

I don’t know if science still agrees that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—but it is definitely my favorite. I love a good cup of dark roast coffee, some scrambled eggs, and bacon. And what about pastries? Donuts? Waffles, pancakes—French toast??

I think it is clear: breakfast can offer plenty of temptations to us.

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He relied on Scripture and obedience to overcome it. It is crucial, therefore, that we spend time in the Scriptures and in prayer—but what should that look like?

Everyone’s routines are different, but I try to spend time in Scripture and prayer every day before work. Sometimes that is at home, but many times it is listening to Scripture on my short drive to work and praying before I clock in for the day.

Jesus speaks directly to how we should pray in both Matthew (6:9–13) and Luke (11:2–4) in what is known as the Lord’s Prayer:

And He said to them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

As we have focused on temptation this week, I thought it would be interesting to focus on that last line. What did He mean by “lead us not into temptation”? God does not lead us into sin—we know that (James 1:13)—so how should we interpret this?

Pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon said this on the subject:

“The reason for presenting that petition must be because we are so weak and frail. We ask that we may not be burdened, for our back is not strong; and we plead that we may not have sin put before us in any of its enticing forms, for oftentimes the flesh borrows strength from the world, and even from the devil, and these allied powers will be too much for us unless the omnipotence of God shall be exerted on our behalf to hold us up lest we fall.”

We are to be so desperate to avoid temptation because of its frightening power over our weakened human condition. What a humbling thought. Jesus is instructing us, for our own good, to ask God not to allow any temptations to befall us that we can’t handle.

Spurgeon goes on to add hope to the equation, saying the Lord will supply us with the wherewithal to endure what He does allow to come our way:

“God’s way of escape from trial is not for His people to avoid it, so as not to pass through it, but such an escape as leads them through the trouble and out at the other end; not an escape from the Red Sea, but an escape through the Red Sea from a still greater trial. If you, beloved, are exposed to trial or temptation, you are to be made able to bear it.”

Our enemy knows our weaknesses, and he also knows that our strength does not come from within, but rather from our faith in the Lord. So I pray today that no undue trials be laid before you, and that you be given the strength to overcome any that do.

Digging Deeper: Tempted in Our Weakest Moments

Lee Wilson on January 20, 2026

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

⁸Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

⁹The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
¹¹they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹²Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

¹³When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

TEMPTED IN OUR WEAKEST MOMENTS

I grew up with a fascination for sharks. Great whites, tigers, makos, and hammerheads—I love learning about them and talking about them. They fascinate me.

One dangerous shark you may not know about is the oceanic whitetip. It lives in the shallow zones of the deepest part of the ocean (known as the pelagic zone) and therefore isn’t encountered often by humans unless you have the misfortune of a shipwreck. It is known as “aggressively opportunistic” and takes advantage of fishermen’s catches or people abandoned at sea.

The whitetip hunts at a haunting pace, stalking prey in a way that makes its presence known. Given its deep habitat, there is nowhere to run. The whitetip approaches its prey methodically, tiring it out little by little, even taking small nibbles until the prey has no ability left to fight before devouring it.

It is more advantageous to attack when your prey is at its weakest.

This strategy is not unique to the whitetip, and it is certainly effective. When Jesus was in the Judean wilderness, He was at His humanly weakest. He hadn’t eaten in 40 days, and He was all alone. So the enemy took the opportunity to attack.

It often seems that our toughest challenges come when we are least equipped to fight them. When we are tired, stressed, and spread too thin—did I just describe you?—that is when we get hit with another curveball. This is not a unique experience for us, because we are at our most vulnerable in these moments, and our “aggressively opportunistic” enemy chooses these moments to attack.

Our enemy similarly stalks us from afar and approaches with small inconveniences—your headlight is out, the AC in your car is on the fritz—and then continues to build a mounting attack: your work schedule has changed and now it conflicts with your kid’s basketball schedule, and don’t forget to have the inspector come check that leak in the roof—until we start to crack.

Before you know it, the stresses are piling up, your attitude with your spouse is poor, and you snap at your kids for no reason. This is how the enemy wins—one bad moment at a time.

In these moments, our faith becomes imperative. In Jesus’ responses to the temptations of Satan, He consistently used one phrase over and over: “For it is written.” In other words, He used Scripture in His defense, relying on God’s Word to remind Himself where to turn in moments of weakness.

This is an example we must follow. Spend time in the Word and get to know God day by day. I pray you are able to hear His voice in your weakest moments and cling to those truths close to your heart. Our enemy is real—so too must our faith be!

Digging Deeper: The Final Boss

Lee Wilson on January 19, 2026

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

⁸Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

⁹The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
¹¹they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹²Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

¹³When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

THE LAST BOSS

My younger son has recently developed a real interest in playing Mario games on the Nintendo Switch, but he isn’t quite good enough to play them by himself. He often plays a little and then has a routine: “Hey Dad, a little help?”

He loves playing the games and enjoys the characters, including Bowser, the villain. As in most simple video games, Bowser is the final level you have to beat in order to complete the game. However, you have little dust-ups in other levels as the game progresses, which reach a crescendo in the final level of the game.

When we read through this week’s passage in Luke and study the temptation of Christ, we see Jesus exhausted and hungry at the end of a 40-day fast. Then He comes face to face with the one true villain—Satan himself.

Theologian R. C. Sproul described the scene in a message he delivered on this passage. He claimed that Satan was attempting to appeal to and corrupt the human nature of Christ. Jesus, being a fully human representation of God, felt these temptations on a human level but responded to them divinely—rebuking Satan and upholding His purity.

In an interesting note, the passage ends by saying that Satan was defeated temporarily, but that he would return “at an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). In other words, this was the dust-up, not the final level, if you will.

We know how the story ends on this side of heaven. Satan did return, and he brought death upon the Son of Man, sending Jesus to an agonizing and torturous death on the cross. Then, in His truest manifestation of divinity, Jesus was resurrected from the dead and denied evil its victory.

The significance of this for us is that we have a high priest who is sympathetic and understands our temptations and trials, yes—but also One who is capable of defeating our enemy.

We face temptations every day. Some are small; some are big. Intuitively, I am betting you can tell the difference. What is key for us is understanding that we serve a God who defeats our enemy and secures the victory.

You don’t have to be strong enough to overcome all that the enemy throws at you, as long as you remember to follow the One who is. I pray you are able to cling to your faith in Jesus amid any temptation you face today.

Digging Deeper – Jesus’ Mission Was You

Steve Roach on January 16, 2026

“You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy… Jesus was known as the son of Joseph… Adam was the son of God.”

Luke 3:22-23, 28 (NLT)

JESUS CAME FOR FLAWED PEOPLE

The beauty of this passage is how personal it becomes. Jesus, loved by the Father, took on a fully human life, stepping into our story to change our eternity. Because of Adam’s sin, we all find ourselves in sin, darkness, and death. But in Jesus, we can all find hope. In Romans 5:18–19 (NLT), we read, “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners, but because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”

In 2010, a group of Chilean miners were trapped underground for 69 days. Rescue crews worked around the clock to reach them. When they were finally pulled to the surface, one by one, their families cheered with tears and joy. That is what Jesus does. He came into our darkness, not to shout advice from the surface, but to enter the pit Himself. He did not offer a ladder and tell us to climb. He became the way out. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He brings us up from death to life, from lost to found. His mission was you. His mission was to bring you home. That is real love.

If Jesus went to such great lengths to include you in His mission, how will you live in response? What step of faith is He calling you to take?

Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Growth at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton. He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Digging Deeper – Jesus Came for Flawed People

Steve Roach on January 15, 2026

“Jesus was known as the son of Joseph… Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.”

Luke 3:23, 28 (NLT)

JESUS CAME FOR FLAWED PEOPLE

Luke’s genealogy is more than a list of names. It tells a story. It is a story of broken people, unlikely ancestors, and sovereign grace. Unlike Matthew, who traces Jesus’ line to Abraham, highlighting Jesus’ Jewish roots, Luke takes us all the way to Adam. Why? Because Luke wants us to see that Jesus came for everyone: Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, outsider and insider. What do all these people in the lineage of Jesus have in common? They are all flawed. They are all sinners in need of rescue. Jesus came for flawed people. After all, that is the only kind there are.

Don’t you just love a good bargain? Most of us do. Whether it is a garage sale, a secondhand store, or the clearance rack at the mall, we all like a good deal. What we do not often like is getting home and realizing that our good deal was not that good after all. It is an especially bad deal if we did not notice the “as is” tag.

Most of us are leery of “as is” items. Some stores call them slightly irregular. Sometimes they are called seconds. But whatever you call them, it is simply another way of saying, “These are damaged goods.” Most stores give you fair warning. This item is sold “as is.” You are going to find a flaw, a stain that will not come out, a hole, a zipper that will not zip, or a seam that is not straight. There will be a problem. This item is not normal. There is a fundamental rule on this rack: no returns, no refunds, and no exchanges.

The good news is that Jesus knew what He was purchasing when He redeemed us on the cross. He knew our condition, and He knew that He would never want to exchange us. Once we are His, we are His forever.

Read Luke 3:23–38. Pick one name that stands out. Look up their story. How does their life reveal God’s grace?

Forward Focus in 2026

Kevin Burrell on January 14, 2026

But I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I keep pressing on.

Philippians 3:13-14

FORWARD FOCUS IN 2026

We are nearly two weeks into 2026. Millions of people began the New Year with these words:
“This is my year!” – uttered with laser-focused excitement and determination.

Gym memberships will skyrocket. Fruits and vegetables will sell out. Journals will be filled with promises to finally become that person—organized, disciplined, healthy, and kale-loving.
By February? Not so much.

The gym grows quiet. The kale salads dry up. The donuts are back. And the only thing organized is the Amazon queue.

The New Year stirs something hopeful in all of us, but we’re quickly reminded that authentic transformation is more challenging than a checklist.

That’s not failure—it’s reality.

As 2026 begins, I encourage you to set goals—but hold them loosely. Instead of striving in your own strength, invite God—the One who created you—into the process. Let your deepest resolution be dependence, not performance.

When our focus shifts from what we can accomplish to who we are becoming in Christ, everything changes. Think progress, not perfection.

The apostle Paul writes:

“But I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I keep pressing on.”

Don’t miss these words: Focus. Forgetting. Looking forward. Pressing on.

Paul wasn’t chasing self-improvement; he was pursuing Christ. He didn’t dwell on past mistakes, guilt, failures—or even successes. His eyes were fixed forward—locked in on Jesus. On growth. On grace. On mercy. On obedience. On progress. On becoming more like Christ.

That kind of focus frees us from shame and pride—and anchors us in purpose.

Listen closely: As 2026 begins, release the pressure to perfect yourself. Resolve instead to make progress by relying on Jesus. Ask Him to shape your heart, deepen your love, and align your steps with His will—not your own.

He is writing your story every day, and He never takes a day off.

True transformation isn’t found on the field or court of competition, in the gym, the calendar, the planner, the salad bar, or the bank account.

True transformation is found in a life surrendered to Jesus Christ—every day.

Blessings in 2026.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Digging Deeper – Jesus Understands Our Humanity

Steve Roach on January 14, 2026

“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.”

Luke 3:23 (NLT)

JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR HUMANITY

Yesterday, we said that at Jesus’ baptism, He was declared to be fully God, God’s eternal Son. In the very next verse (v. 23), Luke wants us to also see that Jesus is fully human. Jesus stepped out of heaven and entered real life with real struggles. He knew exhaustion, hunger, grief, and temptation, yet He lived without sin. His humanity was not a limitation. It was a bridge. He became like us so He could reach us. He walked among us to lead us back to God.

Luke emphasizes both Jesus’ humanity and divinity. The people knew Him as Joseph’s son, a carpenter from Nazareth, but heaven knew Him as the Son of God. The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus was both. He fully understands what it means to be human, yet He alone had the power to redeem.

His life shows us how to live. His strength in the face of temptation gives us hope. His compassion in weakness offers comfort. Jesus did not just come to save us. He came to walk with us.

During a marathon, a runner collapsed just short of the finish line. Rather than cross without him, another runner turned back, lifted him onto his shoulder, and walked the final stretch together. When asked why, he said, “Because he could not finish alone, and I could not leave him behind.” That is what Jesus does for us. He does not leave us in our weakness. He enters it with us.

How does knowing Jesus understands your struggles personally help you face them today? Where do you need to rely on Him more?