Exit stage left.

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Matt 4: 1-11

We ended yesterday with the dramatic voice from heaven, “this is my Son”, echoing Psalm 2 –  strongly Messianic poetry, surely sending shivers down the spine of all Jews who knew their Psalms and longed for Israel’s redemption.The heavenly voice then speaks of Isaiah 42:1, of the Suffering Servant, another, less well understood character in prophecy.  In that one dramatic sentence, God declares that Jesus, still dripping wet, is both the long anticipated Messiah AND the suffering Servant in one person !Incredibly huge moment !

It has been long awaited, John the Baptist has announced it, a supernatural voice has declared it, and here Jesus is – on centre stage, lights glaring.

Which is why it is so surprising that He walks staight off the stage!  Away from the crowds, to…. the desert. To be tempted! Fasting for 40 days…

The tempter seeks to have Jesus use His power for his own needs, security, self satisfaction. He then seeks to have Jesus do dramatic stunts to display His power and gain popularity and significance. Satan then offered a deal to obtain Kingship easily. In all these Jesus uses scripture, (from Deuteronomy), a powerful weapon against the tempter. Jesus chooses to keep God in His place- to worship and serve him only.

Jesus triumphs! Unlike Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the New Adam defeats satan. No cheering crowds, but a history reversing moment…

In fact this is why Jesus came. To defeat satan, to reverse the effects of the fall. Jesus knows that what people need is not a new political movement, not even a new house or a better job. But people need to be saved. Saved from the power of Satan. Saved from the effects of the fall, the broken image we bear.

Jesus shows at the start of his public ministry what is most important. Much to thank Him for today. As we seek to live this day in Christ, may we too, use scripture to defeat our doubts and temptations, and enjoy His wonderful victory.

4 thoughts on “Exit stage left.”

  1. Thanks Phil. How important it is to read and commit God’s word to memory?! We can’t use it to defeat our temptation if it is not in our heads and our hearts to recall. As a parent I am thankful for fantastic resources like Colin Buchan‘s great songs that have helped my kids lock away a lot of God’s Word in their hearts. We also regularly read the Word together and teach them memory verses. There are so many important verses for them to know, including this important one from Psalm 121 

    I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

  2. As the One True Israelite Jesus did what Israel failed to do in the wilderness. As well as doing it for himself he did it for us as our representative. We are saved by his passive obedience on the cross and by his active obedience in all that he did in loving obedience to the Father and in love for all humanity and for a creation marred by rebellion.

  3. “Jesus triumphs! Unlike Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the New Adam defeats satan. No cheering crowds, but a history reversing moment…” Yes, indeed.
    I hear Jesus speak and realise how literally He takes the Scriptures. Very hungry and literally taking sustenance from God’s Word.

  4. Thanks Phil. Its interesting to note that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. He was in His Fathers Hands.
    In my times of trouble and of testing it’s been the Word of God that has sustained me. To be able to have Gods Word stored in my heart allows me to fight Satan directly. Not having to look for a Bible but to bring scripture into my mind at an instant has proven its weight in gold.
    Psalm 119:11 says ” I have hidden Your Word in my heart so I may not sin against You”.
    Gods Word transforms our minds so in any situation we can wait upon God and His Word will direct us.
    In Luke 4:13 we also have the temptation of Jesus told to us. It’s interesting to note that at the end it says,” When the devil had finished all this tempting he left Jesus until an opportune time”. Jesus time after time faced Satan right up to the garden. But He never failed. We too will face time after time our enemy no wonder Jesus told His disciples to “Watch and pray”. May each one who calls FAC home know how to use the Sword of the Spirit to cut down Satan and his wiles.

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