Temptation The Calling
Matthew 4:1-11 "Then Jesus was led, by the Spirit, into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. " As our great example of how to live life, God divinely led Jesus into temptation. Why? I believe the answer is twofold. One, so we would have an example of how to overcome temptation. Two, there is NO temptation that will overcome Christ. Christ is GREATER. Christ in us gives us the power to say NO to sin, NO to Satan, NO to lusts, NO to thoughts against the truths of Scripture. The s pattern here is stunning. Satan makes his appeal, Jesus, who was the Word, quotes OT Scripture back to the devil. And in verse 6, the devil has the audacity to try to use Scripture against Jesus. The devil shows his hand here. The devil is a master manipulator. he will even manipulate Scripture. If your thoughts do not line up with the Word of God, beware of deception. Finally, Jesus simply says "Away with you Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve'." Am I worshiping anything other than Christ? My pride? My desires? | Matthew 4:12 - 23 v. 19, 20 "Then he said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him." Peter, Andrew, James and John were all called the same way, with a simple request, "Follow Me". The author does not state that the men asked any questions or hesitated. God said move, and they did, immediately. What if they hesitated? They would have missed out on a front row seat to the greatest miracles of history. The lesson here, if God asks, obey-immediately. Jesus continues his ministy to the people in Galilee. He becomes a famous healer, and people began to swarm to him. Multitudes traveled to take the sick for a healing and v 24 , "He healed them". What in my life needs a healing from Christ? |