When you look at the three temptations Jesus faced, all of them were focused on avoiding suffering.
Jesus could’ve turned the wilderness into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory if He wanted to, but He chose fasting instead.
Jesus could’ve thrown Himself down from the temple and be rescued by angels, displaying His majesty in a way that would’ve gained Him tremendous popularity overnight, but He chose to remain humble and pursue His mission with patience.
Jesus came to earth to bring us back to Himself. Satan offered Him the world on a platter, but Jesus chose the way of the cross instead.
In reality, Jesus got everything He wanted, which was infinitely more than anyone or anything could have offered Him. Yet it cost Him everything. These temptations would have seemed alluring at the time, however they were nothing but mirages… false comforts… deceptions that would have led to nothingness.
What are some temptations we face? What are some things that seem to be appealing, but could end up destroying us if we give in to them…?
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Tuesday, 2. March 2010
It occurs to me that we fast from sun up to sun down once or twice a week and we see God do some pretty amazing things.
Jesus fasted for forty days and nights! Wow that is a long time and yes, He was God but His body was fully human too and He felt that! Look at what Jesus did! He said greater things than these you will do.
I believe we need to prepare ourselves for what God has for us through fasting. If we don’t fast we should start small. If we do a liquid fast we should do a water fast or a longer fast. Perhaps I’m speaking out of turn but I believe God wants us to go deeper. I believe He intends on doing great things through Ekklesia take part.
Tuesday, 2. March 2010
The flesh is never quenched. I am tempted all day long to give in to it and I sometimes feel very, very weak in comparison to the tempter. What strikes me is that Jesus doesn’t play with the idea, He doesn’t think about it. He’s so quick to dismiss the temptations, from what we’re seeing here. Not me. When tempted my mind often tries to be cunning, to think of a way around my conscience or to downplay the sin or even downplay my own strength so that I don’t feel as guilty. It’s a sickness and it’s why I need a Savior who cuts through the crap and straightaway rejects all evil. I pray that I become more like Him and see things for what they are and not complicate the issues so that I feel better about them. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Tuesday, 2. March 2010
1) Alex I think you hit the nail on the head! Our Savior Jesus cuts through all of the garbage and resists Satan perfectly. The original man Adam failed to trust God but instead decided to follow Satan’s way. Whatever Satan says he’ll give you will ultimately leave you unsatisfied. Jesus knew this, and because He was perfect He could not obey Satan. The good news for us is that we are now baptized into Christ and we’re given His righteousness as a free gift. Jesus’ victory is our victory when we receive it by faith (John 16:33, 1 John 5:4-5). Peter even goes so far as to say that we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
2) The rest of the chapter introduces us to Jesus’ public ministry. He tells people to repent, He begins gathering His disciples, and He goes around helping others. In Acts 10:36-38, Peter says:
“The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all )- you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Jesus is Good, and He went about showing kindness to people. He healed them, and began delivering them from the demonic oppression that they suffered at the hands of the prince of this age (Satan).
Tuesday, 2. March 2010
Wow great discussion guys. I love the honesty given in this blog! I’m reading Alex’s testimony and it sounds familiar.