Matthew 4

Thomas Less,

Matthew 4

The Temptation of Jesus

 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.  3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

 4

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
   ‘People do not live by bread alone,
      but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  
 

 

Forty days with no food.  How does anyone become that dedicated to You Father?  I can’t go forty hours without over-eating!    And You were led by the Holy Spirit into a situation where You would be tempted.  You were truly human.  You understand my plight, my fight.  Yet You never fell, and I fall daily.  What is the difference Lord?  Your love for Your Father was so great, You could even turn away from food.  Lord, give me greater love for You, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all those You have put in my life.  Don’t let “stuff” come ahead of You and Yours anymore.

 

 

Day 19

 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6

and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
   ‘He will order his angels to protect you.
   And they will hold you up with their hands
      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

 

Lord, wouldn’t it have helped to do this stunt?  You are about to start preaching, some popularity couldn’t have hurt!  All the people in the temple courtyard could have seen You.  You would have been an instant star.  Word-of-Mouth publicity would have been amazing: “Did you hear about that Jesus fellow who some how got to the top of the temple steeple, then jumped off and wasn’t even hurt?”
I bet that’s what I would have done.  I always want what little talent I have to be noticed.  I want to show off, and I’m not in the people attracting business like You were.  How little I know.  How far Your ways are from my ways.  You truly did come to serve us, because You certainly could have been like our modern movie stars.
“You must not test the Lord your God.”  I understand this a little now.  God’s word said His angels would protect You, so You could have done this and if God’s word is true, been safe.  Yet, I test You all the time.  How many times I sin, often the same sin over and over, and expect forgiveness.  You say You will forgive me, and You do, but when will I stop testing You?

Lord, help me to have patience and humility.  Help me to do things Your way, not mine.  Help me to not care at all for the praise of men, but only live to please You.  I am such a people pleaser by nature.  Change my nature Lord.  Change me. 

 

Day 20

 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

 10 “Get out of here, Satan,”

Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
   ‘You must worship the Lord your God
      and serve only him.’”
 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

 

Lord, You and I both know I probably fail this test.  I work for money.  I worry about money.  I think too much about money.  I would have justified my decision by saying I would use my power to make the world a better place, but I wouldn’t have.  I can’t see myself actually kneeling before Satan, but when I choose money over doing what is right, it is the same thing.
Is there hope for me Jesus?

 

Day 21

The Ministry of Jesus Begins

 12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:  15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
      beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
      in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
 16 the people who sat in darkness
      have seen a great light.
   And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
      a light has shined.”

Jesus, You moved from place to place, among people and towns that were not thought of as religious or important.  Thank-You!  A passage like this give me hope Lord.  Few people know me and I am certainly unimportant.  Those who do know me, think I’m strange, or stupid, or both…and I probably am.  Perhaps that I why You come to me, over and over again even though I sin and fall.
But I know later in this gospel You curse Capernaum because they did not recognize Your light and change.  Help me not be like that Lord.  You are the King of kings.  I know that.  Why I still sin, that I don’t know.  But don’t let me walk away.  Keep me, and change me. 

 

Day 22

 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Jesus, You called people to repent 2,000 years ago, and You call to me today.  You were near them then, and You are near me today.  Most turned away from You then, and I usually turn away from You today.  And yet You call out to me again and again.  Such patience is amazing.
Jesus, I’m tired of the struggle.  I’m tired today, physically and mentally, and spiritually.  I’m just tired right now.  I need a drink of Your living water Lord.  I need to feel You near me.  I know I don’t deserve it.  I haven’t repented to the point of not falling, but I never will.  I just need You Lord.  Holy Spirit, please pick me up.  The Kingdom of Heaven is near.  Pull me in and give me rest. 

 

Day 23

The First Disciples

 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.  21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

Jesus, You called them, and they followed.  Such magnetism!  And it is there for me to, but I hesitate.  I keep at my work, and try to keep happiness in my family.  But not these men.  They abandoned all to follow You, and in the end they lost nothing.  They now have their family with them forever in paradise.  Those boats must look like such a small price to pay now.  Of course, all of these gave their lives in the end, but in a way, shouldn’t I give my life too?
Jesus, I don’t think You are calling me to abandon my family and my job to fish for men.  But I know You are calling me to stop loving what my job and my family give me (comfort, stuff, fun, etc.) and follow You completely.  I love to please people.  I love to be seen as successful.  I love to be followed and respected.  That is not what You call me to.  I need to love pleasing You, and walk away from anything that keeps me from following You – which is sin.
Lord, I am weak.  Thank-you for Your patience with me.  Change me.

 

Day 24

Crowds Follow Jesus

 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,

Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 4:3 Greek the tempter.
  2. Matthew 4:4 Deut 8:3.
  3. Matthew 4:6 Ps 91:11-12.
  4. Matthew 4:7 Deut 6:16.
  5. Matthew 4:10 Deut 6:13.
  6. Matthew 4:16 Isa 9:1-2 (Greek version).
  7. Matthew 4:17 Or has come, or is coming soon.
  8. Matthew 4:25 Greek

Decapolis.

Day 24

Crowds Follow Jesus

 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,

Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 4:3 Greek the tempter.
  2. Matthew 4:4 Deut 8:3.
  3. Matthew 4:6 Ps 91:11-12.
  4. Matthew 4:7 Deut 6:16.
  5. Matthew 4:10 Deut 6:13.
  6. Matthew 4:16 Isa 9:1-2 (Greek version).
  7. Matthew 4:17 Or has come, or is coming soon.
  8. Matthew 4:25 Greek

Decapolis.

Day 23

The First Disciples

 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.  21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

Jesus, You called them, and they followed.  Such magnetism!  And it is there for me to, but I hesitate.  I keep at my work, and try to keep happiness in my family.  But not these men.  They abandoned all to follow You, and in the end they lost nothing.  They now have their family with them forever in paradise.  Those boats must look like such a small price to pay now.  Of course, all of these gave their lives in the end, but in a way, shouldn’t I give my life too?
Jesus, I don’t think You are calling me to abandon my family and my job to fish for men.  But I know You are calling me to stop loving what my job and my family give me (comfort, stuff, fun, etc.) and follow You completely.  I love to please people.  I love to be seen as successful.  I love to be followed and respected.  That is not what You call me to.  I need to love pleasing You, and walk away from anything that keeps me from following You – which is sin.
Lord, I am weak.  Thank-you for Your patience with me.  Change me.

 

Day 24

Crowds Follow Jesus

 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,

Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 4:3 Greek the tempter.
  2. Matthew 4:4 Deut 8:3.
  3. Matthew 4:6 Ps 91:11-12.
  4. Matthew 4:7 Deut 6:16.
  5. Matthew 4:10 Deut 6:13.
  6. Matthew 4:16 Isa 9:1-2 (Greek version).
  7. Matthew 4:17 Or has come, or is coming soon.
  8. Matthew 4:25 Greek

Decapolis.

Day 24

Crowds Follow Jesus

 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,

Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 4:3 Greek the tempter.
  2. Matthew 4:4 Deut 8:3.
  3. Matthew 4:6 Ps 91:11-12.
  4. Matthew 4:7 Deut 6:16.
  5. Matthew 4:10 Deut 6:13.
  6. Matthew 4:16 Isa 9:1-2 (Greek version).
  7. Matthew 4:17 Or has come, or is coming soon.
  8. Matthew 4:25 Greek

Decapolis.

Jesus, it seems so very simple: Come to You, from wherever I am, and be healed.  No questions, no punishment, no payment required.  People in need came to You, and You filled their need.
So why am I not coming to You constantly?  I think all too often I don’t realize how much I need You Lord.  I trust my brains, my work, my skills.  I don’t see myself as sick or paralyzed, or battling demons.  Yet, perhaps I am “sicker” than most of these people.  Is not a sickness of the soul far worse than one of the body?
Lord, show me my need for You.  Show me my sickness.  I know I am often spiritually paralyzed – not moving at all.  Open my eyes to my need.

And help me come to You.  These people travelled to find You.  Their way was rough and slow.  No cars and planes, most of these sick people had to walk with their sickness.  Get me off my spiritual butt and moving to you.

Some of these, the paralyzed and possessed, had to be brought to You by people who loved them.  I want to be one of those loving people to others.  Lord, if I can be used by You to bring someone to You, use me.   

 

 

 

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