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Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM

Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:06 (GMT)

21 August 2008 | Matthew 3:13 - 4:11

Jesus left Galilee and went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John kept objecting and said, "I ought to be baptized by you. Why have you come to me?" Jesus answered, "For now this is how it should be, because we must do all that God wants us to do." Then John agreed. So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him."

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry. Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, tell these stones to turn into bread." Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: `No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.'"

Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. The devil said, "If you are God's Son, jump off. The Scriptures say: `God will give his angels orders about you. They will catch you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.' " Jesus answered, "The Scriptures also say, `Don't try to test the Lord your God!' "

Finally, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. The devil said to him, "I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus answered, "Go away Satan! The Scriptures say: `Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.' "

Then the devil left Jesus, and angels came to help him.

Notes

Temptation has a tendency to be very subtle. The devil sows seeds of doubt, undermining God's word.

Just as he asked Adam and Eve, 'Did God really say ...?', so he now tempts Jesus with the words, 'If you are the God's Son ...'. This directly challenges God's declaration in verse 17.

Jesus' refusal to give in to the devil's suggestions shows that God's words are not proved by actions or miracles, but by the fact that it is God who has spoken them.

There are many times throughout the Bible when a promise is followed by a wilderness experience. For example, the Israelites left Egypt because God had said he would take them into the Promised Land, but they soon found themselves in a desert without water or food.

Perhaps you too have had - or are having - such an experience. God has made you a promise or revealed to you something of your identity in him. Yet your circumstances seem to be proclaiming that the opposite is true.

When we find ourselves in the wilderness, we need to cling on to what God has said, knowing that he cannot lie.

'Heavenly Father, I thank you that I am your child. Please cut through all the lies that stand in the way of me seeing that you delight in me. Amen.'

Prayer

Spiritual high or solitary low, God is with you. Open your mind to the possibilities.

Today's Writer

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