Friday, January 6, 2012

The Temptation of Christ


    Today’s Reading:
  • Matthew 3:7-4:11
  • Psalm 3:1-8

Matthew 3:7-4:11
This reading covered the baptism and temptation of Jesus Christ. I have heard the baptism story in its entirety, and therefore didn’t learn much new from it, but I didn't really know what the temptation of Christ actually involved.

Fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus passed a series of tests brought on by the devil. In each test, he held strongly onto his beliefs. Now that’s some strong faith! I think I would be about delirious after a week. I don’t know how I could hold on so strongly for 10 weeks. But he, of course, did.

My favorite part was contained in versus 7:5 – 7, where the devil told Jesus to jump off the highest point, and let God save him, to which Jesus replied that you “must not test the Lord your God” (7:7). I am appalled by the thought of those who dare test the Lord. These are the type of people who say “do this for me and I’ll believe,” or, “show me that, and I’ll believe” and so forth and so forth, yet it is never enough for them, because in the end they plain don’t believe. Now, of course there are exceptions, but I just can’t imagine someone taking it upon themselves to call out the Lord like that.

Psalms 3:1-8
Even though I don’t see it in the scripture, my bible credits this Psalm to David. I think it’s wonderful. I love the complete and absolute praise of the Lord, David’s faith that he will prevail through the Lord. It’s no wonder David so completely had the Lord on his side and was such an astounding, prosperous leader.

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