Luke 4:1-13
(King James Version)
Some use James 1:13 as a “proof text,” saying that Jesus could not be tempted because he is the Son of God and part of God, ignoring that this is a part of his sacrifice when he came to earth to be born of Mary and take on a human body. The only way to provide an acceptable sacrificial death was that he must use his own sinless body for that that final blood sacrifice.
This is affirmed by Hebrews 4:15. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Having a human body, he could, but did not sin. This period of temptation continued for forty long days during which he had no food. That, in itself, would weaken most men to death. His body would have been crying for food when Satan suggested that he use his power to turn the stones scattered everywhere to bread. He never used his powers for his own benefit to gain an easy life. He came to be a sacrifice.
THESE WERE REAL TEMPTATIONS IN EVERY WAY
And without doubt there were more than these listed in in text and even through the crucifixion. Remember his agony as he prayed just before his arrest, and recall how he ended with the words, “Not my will but thine, be done.“ in Gethsemane. (Luke 22:42). When he was taunted on the cross “If he is the Son of God, let him come down.“ He even refused a little wine to relieve his agony.
Luke 4
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 3:3)
TO USE HIS POWERS FOR HIMSELF
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:6)
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)
TO COMPROMISE HIS PURPOSE
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (Matthew 4:8-19, Matthew 24:14)
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (1 John 5:19)
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 10:20, Matthew 4:10)
TO GAIN INSTANT POPULARITY
9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: (Matthew 4:5-7)
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: (Psalm 91:11)
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12)
12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season
SATAN LEFT FOR A SEASON
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
JESUS WAS BAPTIZED. WHY?
Bob Mills
God considered that the baptism of His Son was so important to his ministry that it is recorded in each of the four gospels. (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 2 9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:32-34) Each of these texts is short but to the point, and they reveal much. Both Matthew and Luke make a point that he was praying at this time. The language used, the context, and the blessing of both of the other two of the trinity, and the faith and obedience of the candidate all highlight its importance.
JESUS WAS A MATURE MAN
What little we know about the child Jesus were those events that were foretold by the prophets. When the time was right, each of those events came to be and was recorded. His birth; the visit of the magi; the flight to Egypt; his presentation in the temple; these were all prophecy fulfilled. We know that he was blessed of his Father. Now he takes the next step, a mature man, age thirty, ready to start showing in word and deed why He had come.
His ministry need an act of dedication. The time was right.
HE SOUGHT OUT JOHN
Jesus was from Galilee, but he made the long walk to find John, who was baptizing people in the vicinity of Jericho. John had been sent of God to be a forerunner who would prepare the way for Jesus’ This tells us that Jesus was old enough to make his own decisions. As a lad he had been obedient to Mary and Joseph, but this marks the beginning of his adult ministry. Baptism is not for infants. It requires forethought, belief, and repentance. In Jesus’ case, there was no repentance, for here was no sin to forgive, but there was obedience to his heavenly father. The time was ripe, His work was to begin. The Holy Spirit blessed his action, by descending as a dove upon him, and His Father spoke from heaven giving His blessing orally for all to hear. “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” What had he done? He was making a new beginning. What is baptism? It marks the death of the old man, and the new birth and beginning of a new life, an eternal life. Both Christ’s burial and resurrection would be shown in baptism, a burial in water, and a new life.
THE WORD “BAPTIZE” IS NOT AN ENGLISH WORD
It is a letter for letter copy of the Greek word to indicate a “washing by immersing in water,” Thus Jesus went to John because he was baptizing because there was much water at that place. Colossians 3:12, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Or, Acts 8:38-39 , John 3:5.
Luke 3:21-22 (King James Version)
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
JESUS WAS SETTING THE EXAMPLE FOR US
He was obeying His Father and beginning his ministry. That is why he came. Let us begin and lead lives of repentance and obedience to Jesus who commanded, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16. Jesus had no sins to be forgiven, but everyone else does. That is why Peter, on Pentecost preached saying, “”Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
We will never enter into his Heaven with our sins, or without the Spirit of God. Those sins need to be removed though repentance and baptism, and the Spirit gained as His gift. That is the time we become clean again, and to receive the ability to remain that way through the presence of the Spirit within us.
_________
God considered that the baptism of His Son was so important to his ministry that it is recorded in each of the four gospels. (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 2 9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:32-34) Each of these texts is short but to the point, and they reveal much. Both Matthew and Luke make a point that he was praying at this time. The language used, the context, and the blessing of both of the other two of the trinity, and the faith and obedience of the candidate all highlight its importance.
JESUS WAS A MATURE MAN
What little we know about the child Jesus were those events that were foretold by the prophets. When the time was right, each of those events came to be and was recorded. His birth; the visit of the magi; the flight to Egypt; his presentation in the temple; these were all prophecy fulfilled. We know that he was blessed of his Father. Now he takes the next step, a mature man, age thirty, ready to start showing in word and deed why He had come.
His ministry need an act of dedication. The time was right.
HE SOUGHT OUT JOHN
Jesus was from Galilee, but he made the long walk to find John, who was baptizing people in the vicinity of Jericho. John had been sent of God to be a forerunner who would prepare the way for Jesus’ This tells us that Jesus was old enough to make his own decisions. As a lad he had been obedient to Mary and Joseph, but this marks the beginning of his adult ministry. Baptism is not for infants. It requires forethought, belief, and repentance. In Jesus’ case, there was no repentance, for here was no sin to forgive, but there was obedience to his heavenly father. The time was ripe, His work was to begin. The Holy Spirit blessed his action, by descending as a dove upon him, and His Father spoke from heaven giving His blessing orally for all to hear. “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” What had he done? He was making a new beginning. What is baptism? It marks the death of the old man, and the new birth and beginning of a new life, an eternal life. Both Christ’s burial and resurrection would be shown in baptism, a burial in water, and a new life.
THE WORD “BAPTIZE” IS NOT AN ENGLISH WORD
It is a letter for letter copy of the Greek word to indicate a “washing by immersing in water,” Thus Jesus went to John because he was baptizing because there was much water at that place. Colossians 3:12, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Or, Acts 8:38-39 , John 3:5.
Luke 3:21-22 (King James Version)
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
JESUS WAS SETTING THE EXAMPLE FOR US
He was obeying His Father and beginning his ministry. That is why he came. Let us begin and lead lives of repentance and obedience to Jesus who commanded, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16. Jesus had no sins to be forgiven, but everyone else does. That is why Peter, on Pentecost preached saying, “”Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
We will never enter into his Heaven with our sins, or without the Spirit of God. Those sins need to be removed though repentance and baptism, and the Spirit gained as His gift. That is the time we become clean again, and to receive the ability to remain that way through the presence of the Spirit within us.
_________
Monday, March 8, 2010
LIKEWISE ALSO SAID THEY ALL
Bob Mills
Simon, later known as Peter, was well known for speaking before he thought. That is where the saying “impetuous Peter” came from. Sometimes what he said was good, for example when he spoke up quickly saying what was in his heart, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68), but this time he was different, he said, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I,“ (Mark 14:29) He spoke too quickly, but he wasn’t alone, ”likewise also said they all.” (Mark 14:31)
Mark 14:27-31 (King James Version)
27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. (Zechariah 13:7)
28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (Matthew 28:16)
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:68, Mark 14:72, John 13:38)
31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all
...........................................................................
When Jesus was taken by the soldiers and the mob sent by the priests, the apostles all fled, all but Peter and John it is apparent. John was well known in Jerusalem, and was able to become our eye-witness of all that happened, but Peter stayed among those in the courtyard
Mark 14:66-72
66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. (Mark 14:54, Mark 1:24)
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. (Mark 14:54)
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. (Mark 14:68, Matthew 26:73, Luke 22:59)
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept (Mark 14:30, Mark 14:68)
Peter made mistake after mistake. He tried to hide his involvement. He followed at a distance. He mingled with non-believers in the fringes of the crowd of onlookers. And when he was questioned, he lapsed into his old language of an angry fisherman. When he realized what he had said, and done, he repented immediately with tears, and then he became an example for us.
Let us be like Peter in this. When we realize we have sinned, let us repent with tears, and return to our Lord. This same Peter had summed it up for us all with his earlier words, “Thou art the Christ.” and “where shall we go.” There is no one else, no other authority, and we can trust no other example. We too are surrounded by non-believers. Let us walk by the Light of His Word. __________
Simon, later known as Peter, was well known for speaking before he thought. That is where the saying “impetuous Peter” came from. Sometimes what he said was good, for example when he spoke up quickly saying what was in his heart, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68), but this time he was different, he said, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I,“ (Mark 14:29) He spoke too quickly, but he wasn’t alone, ”likewise also said they all.” (Mark 14:31)
Mark 14:27-31 (King James Version)
27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. (Zechariah 13:7)
28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (Matthew 28:16)
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:68, Mark 14:72, John 13:38)
31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all
...........................................................................
When Jesus was taken by the soldiers and the mob sent by the priests, the apostles all fled, all but Peter and John it is apparent. John was well known in Jerusalem, and was able to become our eye-witness of all that happened, but Peter stayed among those in the courtyard
Mark 14:66-72
66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. (Mark 14:54, Mark 1:24)
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. (Mark 14:54)
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. (Mark 14:68, Matthew 26:73, Luke 22:59)
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept (Mark 14:30, Mark 14:68)
Peter made mistake after mistake. He tried to hide his involvement. He followed at a distance. He mingled with non-believers in the fringes of the crowd of onlookers. And when he was questioned, he lapsed into his old language of an angry fisherman. When he realized what he had said, and done, he repented immediately with tears, and then he became an example for us.
Let us be like Peter in this. When we realize we have sinned, let us repent with tears, and return to our Lord. This same Peter had summed it up for us all with his earlier words, “Thou art the Christ.” and “where shall we go.” There is no one else, no other authority, and we can trust no other example. We too are surrounded by non-believers. Let us walk by the Light of His Word. __________
Monday, March 1, 2010
WEALTH, SACRIFICE, AND REWARDS
Bob Mills
THE RICH YOUNG RULER
The account of the rich young ruler just precedes our thought for today. By man’s judgment, he had lived an excellent life. He had not violated any of the commandments of God; he had accumulated great wealth, and we are told that Jesus loved him. Surely, he could have felt secure that he would have eternal life, but he lacked one thing. His wealth stood between him and the Lord, and he loved it too much. He knew in his heart that there was something lacking. That is why he asked the question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?“ And he went away grieving. He wasn’t prepared to make that sacrifice.
ONE THING WAS LACKING
Mark 10:23-31 (King James Version)
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Matthew 19:23)
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 1:27)
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (Matthew 4:20-22)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 19:29, Luke 18:29)
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Matthew 12:23)
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Luke 13:30)
GOD WILL NOT BE IN DEBT TO YOU
The tithe is his, but give beyond that and he will bless you in another way. Leave your home and travel the earth for him and he will replace what you have left behind with something where you are, home, family, country, and the time comes, your heavenly home. No one can out give God, but neither can we rob him. (MalachI 3:10)
__________
THE RICH YOUNG RULER
The account of the rich young ruler just precedes our thought for today. By man’s judgment, he had lived an excellent life. He had not violated any of the commandments of God; he had accumulated great wealth, and we are told that Jesus loved him. Surely, he could have felt secure that he would have eternal life, but he lacked one thing. His wealth stood between him and the Lord, and he loved it too much. He knew in his heart that there was something lacking. That is why he asked the question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?“ And he went away grieving. He wasn’t prepared to make that sacrifice.
ONE THING WAS LACKING
Mark 10:23-31 (King James Version)
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Matthew 19:23)
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 1:27)
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (Matthew 4:20-22)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 19:29, Luke 18:29)
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Matthew 12:23)
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Luke 13:30)
GOD WILL NOT BE IN DEBT TO YOU
The tithe is his, but give beyond that and he will bless you in another way. Leave your home and travel the earth for him and he will replace what you have left behind with something where you are, home, family, country, and the time comes, your heavenly home. No one can out give God, but neither can we rob him. (MalachI 3:10)
__________
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