Sunday, January 4, 2015

GENESIS 9-11:

Chapter 9 begins with God's blessing to Noah and his sons.  He gives them permission to eat anything that lives and moves.  Regarding man he gives strict instruction not to shed blood.

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man."(9:6)

God then establishes a covenant that he will no longer destroy the earth with a flood.

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (9:13) 

The following two chapters are a genealogy of Noah and his sons.  Chapter 11 includes the tower of Babel and God seeing that there is a need for different tribes and languages. The chapter ends with the introduction of Abram and Sarai and their family.

MATTHEW 4:

Jesus leaves the baptism and wanders into the desert.  After he has fasted 40 days, Satan comes to him and tempts him in 3 different ways.  Using his power for himself, using his relationship and testing God and finally abdicating his position for worldly gain. Jesus final response covers them all...

"Away from me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"(4:4)

Jesus leaves the desert and settles in Capernaum.  As he is walking beside the Sea of Galilee he comes across Simon and Andrew.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him. (4:19-20)

From there he goes on to call James and his brother John and his ministry begins.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people...Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. (4:23-25)

 

JOURNAL:

Jesus response in the desert seems to provide the foundation of his entire ministry. His actions will never be about himself.  The temptation from Satan is centered around Jesus either manipulating God and his power or abdicating his power in order to take care of his own needs. The temptation is selfishness. It is simply another form of the temptation used on Adam and Eve...start with doubt and use the desires of hunger and power.  Yet Jesus refuses, and quotes scripture in all 3 responses.

How often I have failed this test. I can think of occasions daily where I compromise, don't obey and cave to my own desires over obedience to God. Jesus' obedience is perfect and yet he never uses his power or his perfect obedience as justification to follow desires that are not of God. 

Here I am confronted again with my own sin.  It is also here that I can fall into the arms of a savior who will always strengthen me and never failed in his obedience.  This though becomes a scary road...what will following this path ultimately cost? It cost Jesus everything on earth.  I see here the clutches of my own sin.  I don't want to lose everything.  I don't want to sacrifice and give up everything that is important to me.  

For today, that's not what God is requiring.  Just that I trust and seek in all things.  I realize that in my own power, I will fail every test.  Yet in the strength and power of Christ I can do all things.  Scary...yet comforting.  

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through him who gives me strength."(Philippians 4:12-13)