Son
… and he began to teach them.
Summary: Jesus’ role as a “son” defines him in an entirely different way from who he is as a God, Creator, and King.
God, Creator, and King are three radically different roles for one person to occupy. Even with just these three aspects to consider, the implications are staggering. Yet we have only begun to explore the various roles that Jesus fills. Of those that are left to discuss, his role as “Son” is perhaps the most important.
When Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, the first four were about how we love and respect God. The fifth was about loving and respecting our parents. God said:
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20: 12)
Jesus did both. He honored his mother and was obedient, even when it wasn’t convenient for him (See John 2: 1-12). He also honored his Father (See Luke 2: 41-51, Luke 4: 1-13). In doing so, Jesus sets an example for us.
How far should our obedience go?
In the beginning days of his ministry, Jesus is baptized by John (John 3: 13-17) and then immediately is told to go into the wilderness. Jesus does not have time to prepare for his time away from people. Instead, he obeys immediately, heading out alone into a dry, rocky place.
Time passes.
Slowly.
One day, two, seven, twenty. Twenty days without food. Then thirty. Eventually, forty days pass, and as Luke records, “at the end of them he was hungry.” (Luke 4: 2)
I have trouble dealing with temptation even when I am prepared, well-rested, and fed. Even then, I still get distracted. I am prone to be guided by impulse. Yet Jesus, tired, hungry, and weak from being without food for over a month, is focused on his father’s will. The only thing on his mind is doing what his Father wants him to do (John 6: 40).
In Luke’s telling of the story, the devil comes to Jesus and says, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Luke 4:3)
Notice how the devil slides the knife in without being obvious about it. He suggests Jesus is not God’s son. He implies that Jesus is just a guy with a big ego. He hints, maliciously, going without food is a waste of time. All these suggestions are wrapped up in the statement, “If you are the Son of God…”
Then, the devil twists the knife: he offers Jesus a false choice. He suggests that if Jesus will do a miracle, then he would prove to the devil that he is the Son of God. But not just any miracle! The “miracle” the devil suggests not only serves the lie that Jesus can “prove” he is God’s son, but it serves the flesh that Jesus occupies. After all, what is bread for if not to eat?
Any human I know would have had to think about this. We would have to sort out what the devil was suggesting. We would have to consider turning the rock into bread and whether that would “prove” anything. Then, having considered that, we would also consider our own hunger and our attention would be torn away from our father’s will to our own wants.
Jesus, human as he is, is not distracted from his mission. He doesn’t have to consider what the devil is suggesting because he knows what his Father wants and he will not vary from that for a second. His response is instantaneous and classic:
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” (Luke 4: 4)
Matthew’s telling of the story adds, “but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
What is he saying? It sounds to me like he is saying that the words of his Father are more important than physical life itself.
There is no hesitation in his voice, no pause to think about it. Only total devotion to his Father’s will.
Application: Strive to focus on the Father’s will every moment of the day. First, learn his will, then live it.
Food for Thought: If Jesus had stopped to think about what the devil was saying, what would that mean for us?
Jesus fulfilled all prophesy regarding the first coming of the Messiah and we can know that He will complete the fulfillment of all Messianic prophesy at His second coming…because of His perfect record achieved in His first coming. He did not waiver, and Satan’s tests were a crucial part of His mission. Isaiah 50:5-10
JEC
Well said. The Isaiah passage is very appropriate. Thank you!
Since Jesus sets the example, then since He would have stopped to think then we should do the same, stop and think.
One thing for sure is if I were to leave a piece of bread out long enough it may turn as hard as a rock.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 gives us three of The Father’s will for us. One of them is being thankful in all circumstances. Not as easy as it seems for sure.
John,
You crack me up! I guess it qualifies as sort of a miracle if you can turn bread into a rock, but it seems to me it would be the “yeast” of all miracles. 🙂
Thank w brother. Interesting devotion. My mind went where JEC went. Jesus completely fulfilled everything prophesied about Him and always did His Father’s will. Which means that will also be true in the future. We can trust Him and be secure in our faith in Jesus.
Amen, Rich.
We can>/I> trust our Lord Jesus. He is awesome!
10-08-2022, Who is Jesus Part IV
If Jesus had stopped to think about what the devil was saying, what would that mean for us?
Jesus’ temptation provides insights into the nature, reality of spiritual warfare and how to overcome temptation. Satan has no power over believers, however he can tempt us to exercise our freewill to turn from serving God and serve our flesh. He tempted Jesus with three things: wealth, power, and pleasure. Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to these things, but Jesus refused him. Instead, Jesus ministered to us as He demonstrated the power of His obedience to God’s word to overcome Satan’s temptations.
Jesus walked on earth as fully human and fully God, He is our example of how we resist temptation by remaining faithful to God who is our power to live in victory over all temptations. Our growth in Christ is our path to growth in God’s power over all temptations to sin.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
The temptation of Christ is important for Christians today because it shows that Jesus is the true heir of Israel and the only one who can save humankind.
Ron,
I really appreciate your point about Jesus being able to aid us in overcoming our own temptations. So true!
Jesus was (as is) mission-focused. He came to bring life. Jesus can literally end world hunger by turning all rocks on Earth to bread. But that wouldnt solve anything. Jesus’s reposnse was mission focused ” Man cannot LIVE by bread alone.”He came to bring life, and life more abundant. His response calls back to Gods will. When God reveils His will to you, hesitaion would mean following your own will.
Great point Chris, Satan would have us feed our flesh and starve our spirits as we cut off food from our God in disobedience to His will for us. Jesus feeds our spirit, is our strength to obey God.
Chris,
What an interesting thought! Jesus could change all of the rocks into bread… I had never thought of that. And yes, the answer still remains the same. Man shall not live by bread alone.
👍🏻