Consider This: One Big Test

The first event of Jesus’ public ministry did not take place in public, but it influenced everything he did from that point on.

After Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17), he was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for a time of testing. For forty days, Jesus was alone and without food. Then Satan came and suggested that Jesus feed himself by turning the stones into bread. Jesus recoiled from this idea as if doing so would be the worst thing in the world. Then Satan challenges him to prove that he is God’s Son by throwing himself off the temple and seeing if God would protect him. Jesus treats this suggestion with similar contempt. Lastly, Satan tries to convince Jesus to become the ruler of the world. That was his end goal anyway, so why not start there? Again, Jesus does not choose that option (Matthew 4:1-11).

The question is, “What was the test here?” Feeding oneself after forty days seems reasonable. Proving his Sonship at the start of his ministry would have moved things along. Ruling the world would get the message out more quickly than teaching one person at a time. What is the problem?

Two phrases help us understand the real test. The first is, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (verse 1). The second is Satan saying, “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me” (verse 9).

The temptation had nothing to do with hunger, God’s care, or gaining power. The real test was about who was in charge. Would Jesus do things God’s way or not? Would he wait on God’s timing or make his own? Would he take the difficult way with God or find an easier route?

Jesus’ refusal to do anything other than what his father wanted is seen throughout the rest of his ministry. He constantly said things like, “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me” (John 8:28) and “Not my will but yours be done” (Matthew 26:39/42/44).

Jesus knew that taking a shortcut instead of doing things God’s way would short-circuit the entire process.

What about us? Are we actually following God, or do we just call ourselves followers?

There is a huge difference.

Comments

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly. https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for. Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task. In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut. It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why. Ben became stuck on the glacier. He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below. That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice. He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety. Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....

Consider This: Press The Button!

Consider This: Press the Button! My favourite TV game show is Jeopardy. I used to like it even more when my kids were younger, because I could easily beat them and look smart. These days, after they have grown up and gone to university, it is much more difficult. However, Jeopardy is still the only game show I will watch. In a book I read, a contestant who did very well on the show shared the secret to his success. He said (and I am paraphrasing here), “You must press the button before you know the answer. Everyone on Jeopardy is smart. Everyone knows the answer. The key to winning is to act. You must jump in and press the button, assuming that your brain will catch up and supply the answer. If you wait until you are sure, you will be too late!” Press the button! Too often, we hesitate, not because we do not know what to do, but because we do not want to do it. Sometimes, we fail to act because we are not sure how the situatio...

Consider this

Subscribe

Get new posts by email:

Search This Blog