I have a friend who won the conference championship in college football his senior year. He has a game ball signed by his teammates and a beautiful championship ring on display in his house. The thing is, he did not play a single down in that game. In fact, he didn’t play in any conference games that season. He got hurt early in the year and was sidelined for the remaining games. His injury prevented him from competing with his teammates and contributing to the team. But he still got the ball and ring that only the champions got. As part of the team, he got to share in what the team won even though he could not compete on the field. What he could not do, his team did for him, and he got to share in their victory.
In the passages we read today, we see Jesus in that kind of role in His baptism and temptation. He tells John that He must be baptized “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). We see several times in the Old Testament story that going through the waters signified the people of Israel being set apart as a unique people with a redemptive purpose. Over and again, they failed to live up to their unique identity and fulfill their redemptive purpose. In His baptism, Jesus stood where Israel was supposed to stand, but where they failed, Jesus succeeded. He perfectly represented God and faithfully fulfilled His purpose. What Israel was unable to do, Jesus did for them.
In His temptation, Jesus faces the choice that every human has faced since Genesis 3. Listen to God’s voice or listen to the voice of the enemy. Live depending on yourself and what you can secure; or depend on God, and be sustained by His words. All of us, in some way, have chosen bread alone. Out of our sinful condition, we reject God’s voice, and give in to temptation. In His temptation, Jesus stood in the place all humanity stands, but where we fail, Jesus succeeds. What we are unable to do, Jesus does for us.
In His life, Jesus is a righteous representative for all of us who, because of sin, cannot be what God intended for us to be. The beauty of Jesus’s life is that He then shares His righteous life with all who, through repentance and faith, belong to Him. As Christians, we get to share in the victory that He alone earned, that through His grace becomes our victory.
Happy Friday She’s!
I find it crazy that so many fellow Christians don’t even read the Word! There have been surveys showing how small the percentage is that read a bible! We have so much access to a bible, and can even read it on our phones, yet other things such as social media can be more important to us. I am putting myself in this grouping as well until finding SRT 2015. (yay, for SRT) My mother actually passed away in 2014, and after that, I picked up my bible and started reading the daily readings and study guide because I had wanted to honor my mom seeing her read her own bible daily in her last years. Now I think…how can someone profess loving Jesus, yet not gobble up God’s Word to us. I know we are all in different spots in our journey with Jesus, but there needs to be a hunger and passion again! I mean…this is the Almighty God, and His Son Jesus, and then the Holy Spirit!! So Radical. Crazy. Huge. You know there are people in other countries that would die to have a bible? They are hungry to know our Jesus! They are being persecuted for proclaiming Him God!
(Not yelling or judging anyone here…just trying to show how we should see God’s Word, the Holy Bible…as something to eat up and absorb as much as we can, and meeting here at SRT is such an amazing way to read daily, have commentary, and connect with others, to lead, learn, grow, engage! Praise God!! Let’s try to be a little more vocal in our circle around us about how Great our Jesus is!! I am not afraid. The world will hate us. But we are His soldiers, the sowers, the prayer warriors, the examples.
Mercy, Searching, Kelly (Neo) and everyone who is praying for me thank you! Your words are truly an encouragement. Elaine I am praying for you. GramsieSue I am praying for you and Steve and your new grandbaby.
The enemies use of scripture further proves Gods truth and power. Even the enemy has nothing better to fight with. But do I use scripture to fight the enemy in my life? I’ve been trying to use worship music more lately and that’s getting close, but it would be better to be able to pull a verse out and direct it towards negative thoughts, challenges, upsets, loss of patience, tiredness, criticism, frustration. The more I can fight with scripture, regardless of what the enemy throws at me, God will he close to me.
“Listen to Gods voice or listen to the voice of the enemy”. Today’s readings is literally my current life. I really needed this!
Something interesting that stood out to me was how when Satan was tempting Jesus he used scripture! It was out of context scripture, but still! I see this so much in today’s times where scripture is being used in an appealing way but is not being used correctly in context. This is just another example that we need to arm up with our spiritual battle gear to identify and destroy! How many times have I allowed a verse to run through my head in a way where I try to tweak it to appeal to MY will. We really need to stop and pay attention and if we’re unsure if it’s from God or out of context we need to ASK and BRING it to Him in prayer. If pray ask He will answer! What a great lesson for me personally today. Thank you. Ladies have a joyful weekend and may you feel blessed and encouraged to better understand who Jesus was and is!
Satan has memorized Scripture to use it deceitfully against us. Jesus shows us that by accurately knowing and recalling faithfully God’s Word, we can stand firm against the devil’s Scripture twisting. I know this but I never truly thought about it before the reading today. I feel convicted. My memorization practice is, I’m ashamed to admit this, downright abysmal. Lord, help me be more diligent and intentional in memorizing Your Word so I can stand against the schemes of the devil. Amen
@Sarah D. @Taylor the rest of my post sent early. I completely agree it is hard to not get lost and angry when the circumstances aren’t what you had hoped for. Anxiety and depression is the devils strong on hold us. I am praying this will be a great year for all. Love the Hebrews verse ❤️. @Elaine praying for you! Gor loves you no matter your sin! Hang in there. Have a great weekend praying for all of you.
@Sarah D. @Taylor that would be so wonderful! I would LOVE that! While I don’t want anybody to feel how I’ve felt I do find comfort knowing we aren’t alone in our trials! Anxiety and depression are truly hard to overcome