Week 15, Day 2
April 12, 2022 Scripture: Matthew 4 “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”” (Matthew 4:10) Jesus is the Son of God. This affirmation immediately after his baptism, is under direct attack in the temptation. “If you are the Son of God, then…” Jesus continues to live out the story of Israel, particularly the Exodus story. He is now in the wilderness. Where the Israelites spent 40 years, Jesus spends 40 days. Jesus famished is now tested. Will he prove himself to be spectacular, powerful and prestigious? Will he make for himself food, will he choose comfort over trust? Will he seek the fame of or endure the shame of the cross? All of this is at work in the temptation. He proves himself faithful, all the more affirming his identity as the Son of God. The very things Satan uses to compromise Christ become his testimony. Where the Israelites failed to trust in God, Jesus proves faithful. He trusts in God, and we find our righteousness now in him alone. His faithfulness will become ours. The suffering and endurance of faith in the wilderness prove Jesus to be the Son of God. From this time forward, Jesus preaches, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The rest of his ministry will be revealing this to be true. The sick are healed, the dead are raised. New life is breaking into the world. It will lead us to the cross and the resurrection. Jesus is the Son of God, His kingdom has come, give your allegiance to him.
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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