ALL OF THIS CAN BE YOURS
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
v9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
The third part of His testing is the devil’s entry point to the Mind, the Will and the Emotions (The Soul).
The natural eye can see about 12 miles on a clear day. From the vantage point of a very high mountain, Jesus could see all of man’s accomplishments, the glory of the Temple and all the man made and natural wealth of the area.
Imagine the folly of this temptation, offering Jesus anything that God has created through His Word. It all belongs to Him – already.
Nonetheless, the devil will tempt our weak and frail minds with wealth and riches as if he could give us all these things if we would only fall down and worship him.
We would do well to remember that we, who are called by His Name, are joint heirs with Jesus, and have inherited all that He has.
Our response must be as Jesus’ response: According to the Word of God:
10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
Jesus has been tested at all points, His physical body, His Spirit and His soul. He is worthy.
Jesus has given the final Command and it is bound on earth and in the heavens.
Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”
Jesus has shown us how to draw near to God and that God will draw near to us. We are to resist the devil and the devil will flee. (James 4:7,8)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?
The Living Word of God is God’s love letter to His children. His Living Word, Jesus, is the image of God for us to see so we can know and understand Him. Jesus is our Lord, our Savior and our example.
God’s written Word, The Bible, reveals God’s plan, His purpose and His Ways. Every word on every page points the way. The path is difficult but clear. We are to follow Him, and in Him, we find refuge. Any deviation from this clear path, leads to confusion, doubt, fear and defeat. Again, the path is difficult but clear.
Success and wealth can have a strong attraction to most of us. Just thinking about “being successful and rich” might cause you to feel “tempted”. But, is pursuing a career and making money – perhaps a lot of money – wrong?
Simply put…
1. If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to misuse or neglect our relationship with God and the authority He has granted us, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.
2. If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to take unhealthy or dangerous risks instead of following the teachings of Jesus, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.
3. If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to become self-seeking, prideful, full of envy, boastful, arrogant, filled with hate and strife, jealously, prone to outbursts of anger, engaging in endless disputes, dissensions and factions, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.
Our response should be as Jesus’: Always According to Scriptures.
v 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
This is our command: “Go Satan! For it is written…”
Jesus has been tested at all points, His physical body, His Spirit and His soul. He is worthy.
Mark 10:28 “Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”
v29 “Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,
v30 “but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
v31 But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
He has told us the Words to say. He has shown us the Way to go. Now, we can confidently and obediently follow Him.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
The Next Teaching in Matthew 5:13 https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/04/being-jesus-disciple/