A year with Luke gives us such a powerful and dynamic look at Jesus and the work of the people who are now fully devoted followers of Jesus. Each chapter is filled with things we can learn, and copy, and share with others to make a difference in the lives of the people we know. This week we look at both the temptations of Jesus, driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and tested by the adversary, and his first sermon in his hometown synagogue, great stories to help us see what God is doing with us and for us.
The wilderness fasting for forty days is another example of how hard life is for Jesus, so we can see that God is with us in all situations and challenges. The Devil reaches out to him and suggests that he take care of his hunger, by turning all those little stones and rocks, into bread. That would take care of his hunger, and give him a way to begin to meet the needs of the world's hungry, just change rocks into bread. That doesn't seem that evil does it?
But Jesus reminds us, as much as we get carried away with the physical and immediate needs, the work of God is far more important. Jesus turns to the Scriptures, from the very part where God feeds the hungry Israelites in the desert, to remind us that we do not live by bread alone, but by the very word of God. God's purpose is more important, God's plan is more important, and God's resources and provisions for us are more important. Trusting God is the most important thing. We need to see that the Bible does have tools for us to resist making poor decisions and succumbing to temptations that come our way, even okay temptations. The more we know about what we need to do, the better our answers will be to stop the temptation from hurting us.
Next the Devil took Jesus to a place where he could see the whole of history, the kingdoms and powers of the world. If Jesus was going to make a positive influence on the world, getting to be in charge of all this would be a great step ahead. The Devil said it was his, and he would gladly hand it off to Jesus if he would bow down and worship him. Jesus knows that we are to only worship God. He knew the trouble the Israelites got into when they missed Moses and built the golden calf. Jesus knew how much trouble Solomon got into following the gods of his many wives and bringing destruction down on the nation of Israel, for his lack of purpose and focus on the One True God.
We need to stay focused on what God wants, to worship and give allegiance only to our Creator, anything less will bring destruction, and division, and criticism and frustration and a whole slew of other really bad things. We are encouraged by the answer to focus once again on God alone, for all things. Worship, committing ourselves to what God wants in every part of our lives takes work and constant application.
Finally, the Devil took him to the Temple and suggested he jump off, that quoting scripture could be done by the devil too, and the angels will rescue you, so you won't hit the stones at the bottom. Just think about the great entry into ministry that rescue will bring you. Instant stardom, and a following because of the rescue by the angels. Evening news lead story for sure. But Jesus responded, that we are not to put God to the test. That's a hard one, because we do all the time.
We ask God to save us from whatever trouble we are in now, with a promise to go to church, or to give money to the poor, or to pray more regularly. We want God to fix our trouble, we want to be the one who tells God what needs to be worked on. We are the ones who hope that those angels rescue us before our feet hit the rocks at the bottom of the jump off. We do test God and are often very disappointed that God doesn't work that way, and yet we keep trying as if we only have to do this often enough to get it to work right.
The Devil left Jesus for a while, waiting for another chance later, probably thinking about the garden of Gethsemane later on. Jesus returns to his home town to begin his ministry with a sermon in his home synagogue. To which he went to regularly. Imagine, Jesus went to church all the time, if he did, we sure should.
The story of his visit to Nazareth, will come up in my next blog, until then, blessings on you all.
Pastor Jeff (PS, you've help me pass the 2,000 views mark for my blog, thank you)
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