The Story - Chapter 23 - Jesus' Ministry Begins

We are told to be wary of Satan, for he is cunning.  We are warned to watch out for his evil ways as he is the great deceiver, but I am not seeing that in these verses on temptation.

Sure, I know that he can fool me; that Satan can and will again pull the proverbial wool over my eyes, no doubt about it.  But, did he really think he could fool Jesus?  In the verses below, Satan is working to tempt Jesus with something He already has.  Satan is trying to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 

 Matthew 4:8-10 (NIV) 
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 
 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"  


Jesus created all these things.  He gave them to us to enjoy. I realized this morning as I was reading my Bible before getting my day started, that Satan was trying to give the world to Jesus in exchange for Jesus' worship.  Satan did not understand his master.  There is no bartering for salvation, no negotiating for redemption.  They are free for the taking.  God's grace covers it all.  When I come before the throne and beg for God to rescue me, I can consider it done!

We are not held hostage to Satan's future, we are free in Christ.  No deal making necessary; it is a done deal.

Read Matthew 4 here

Listen to Matthew 4 here

Matthew 4:18-22

When my sister and I were kids we were known in the neighborhood for the way our father called us in for supper.  He would whistle loudly and we would come running.  I always wanted to learn how to whistle like that, real loud, but never mastered that art.  But, when I would hear the shrill sound over the back yards I knew better than to tarry.

Often we would go home, but once there we would attempt to negotiate and see if we couldn't convert our reasoning into some more playing time. It usually didn't work.

"Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." (Matthew 11:22)

The scripture today is talking about a different type of call.  Jesus is calling His disciples, not by a whistle, but by love and trust and faith.  Jesus called them and they immediately followed.  Wow, immediately they followed Him.  What does that say; what does that tell us about the character of Jesus and of the men he selected.  I have no doubt but that Jesus spent time praying over the men He was to call.

I love the word 'call' and the context it is used.  Many do not believe in being called, but if you have ever had a job you loved and felt so content, happy, equipped and satisfied you know what that is.  When you get up in the morning anticipating the joy you will experience on your job; sensing that you are exactly where God wants you to be, you my friend have been called.

Read Matthew 4:18-22 here.  Listen to Matthew 4:18-22 here.