This is the First Sunday in Lent, when we consider Original Sin and the
Second Adam. First Adam failed; but Second Adam prevailed.
Gospel : Matthew 4:1-11
We know that Jesus is victorious over Sin, Death and the Grave - over Sin in
the Wilderness of Judaea; over Death in the Garden of Gethsemane; over the
Grave at the Empty Tomb. That first victory in the wilderness was the
springboard for the others. Would the Second Adam succeed where the first Adam
failed? Jesus as Man had to defeat Satan on his own, without angelic or
Divine aid. "Seconds out of the ring". Angels ministered unto him only
*afterwards* (verse 11).
1. APPRECIATE THE SUBTLETY OF THE SERPENT
The Serpent, the first of God's creatures, was more subtle than all the other
creatures (Genesis 3:1). "Serpent" is his Nature, not his name (Revelation
12:9, 20:2). He is no talking snake, but as an angel of light (2 Corinthians
11:14). He was "in Eden" (Ezekiel 28:13-14). Here are three ways Satan tried
to get Jesus to give up His mission by avoiding the Cross:
a. Satan tried temptations of the Body: Hedony.
Attract people by pandering to their cravings. Jesus later turned water into
wine; why not stones into bread? Because "man cannot live by bread alone,
but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Those who feed on the Living Bread will never hunger again (John 6:35).
b. Satan tried temptations of the Mind: Autonomy.
We are not to test the Word to see if it true (Deuteronomy 6:16). Even Satan
can quote Scripture (Psalm 91:11-12)-- but a text out of context is a pretext.
To try to force God to do your will is suicide. Frank Sinatra could do it
"my way"; but we must do it "God's Way".
c. Satan tried temptations of the Spirit: Blasphemy.
Satan said 'Fall down and worship me (as god) and I'll make you my
lieutenant'. One may not worship the creature rather than the Creator (Romans
1:25). Satan is only a creature, even though God made him 'Prince of this
world' (John 16:11). To ascribe God's work to Satan is blasphemy, divine high
treason (Matthew 12:31). This never has forgiveness; to do it is suicide.
2. APPROPRIATE THE VICTORY OF THE SERVANT
Jesus, the Suffering Servant, knew His Bible: used His Bible: obeyed His
Bible.
a. Jesus knew His Bible. Psalm 119:9,11
Jesus knew Deuteronomy 8:3. Did you? Do you now? "As newborn babes, desire
the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2): and
after the milk, "strong meat" (Hebrews 5:12-14). The only way to know the
Bible is to learn it by heart (Psalm 119:9,11).
b. Jesus used His Bible.
Jesus compared Scripture with Scripture. He met Psalm 91:11-12 with
Deuteronomy 6:16. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who "studied the
Scriptures daily, whether these things were so". Scripture is a weapon: "the
sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17); "sharper than
any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). Get the devil on the run: shoot him with
the gospel gun!
c. Jesus obeyed His Bible.
Deuteronomy 6:13 applies to people and angels, including Lucifer/Satan. Jesus
ordered Satan away and he had to obey. "Resist the devil and he will flee from
you" (James 4:7). "Whom resist, steadfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9). Jesus
said "I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions" (Luke
10:19).
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
