Baptism and Temptation
Welcome to day 55. Today’s reading is Matthew 3:13 – 4:17.
Read the Bible passage here or listen to the audio file below.
Listen to the audio of Paul Subritzky’s reflection on Rhema’s site.
From the National Director of Promise Keepers, Paul Subritzky…
As Jesus was baptised in the river Jordan by John the Baptist, the heavens were opened and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
Suddenly a voice came from heaven saying “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”.
There are two major things that a father can give a Son. These two things a son cries out for. The first is identity. A son wants to know who he is. God answers this issue of identity with Jesus. He calls him His Son and not only his son but his beloved Son.
Secondly a son and indeed a daughter, wants to hear affirmation, they want to receive acknowledgement that they are accepted and appreciated. God gives this to Jesus when he says “you are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. This affirmation was not based on performance, as Jesus had not yet done any miracles; it was simply based on who he was as a son and on his obedience to God and his parents.
Jesus then goes into the wilderness and fasts for forty days and forty nights. At the end of this he was hungry. I don’t blame him! I would have been hungry too!
It’s at this stage Satan comes to tempt him. Choosing the weakest moment!
It’s interesting the first thing that Satan questions and tries to cast doubt on is this “If you are the Son of God”. Remember, God has just told Jesus “you are my beloved Son”. Satan tries to do exactly the same thing us. This challenge of identity affects men more than anything else. Men embark on a search for their identity in many different ways, often destructive. Satan will choose a weak moment, and will then attack and try to cast doubt in this area. As earthly fathers we must reinforce our son’s identity in God.
Satan also tries to cast doubt on Gods power working through us. “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread”.
Jesus could have answered Satan in many ways during his tests. He could have used a display of power, he could have tried to defeat Satan in his own strength, but instead he chose the word of God.
He said “it is written”, Jesus says this three times and quotes from the Bible three times. Every time Satan tempted Jesus he responds “it is written”.
We don’t have to try to fight Satan in our own strength but in the power of God, through His word.
This is the core importance of the E100 challenge, to know the word so that we have weapons that are able to fight the enemy.
Paul
Filed under: Week 11 - Paul Subritzky
