“If you are the Son of God…” Luke 4:3a, 4:9b
Read Luke 4:3-4, 9-12
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[a]”
12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Ever feel the need to prove something? Prove you can do what you said? Are, who you say? Sometimes, people’s provoking questions push us into a prideful place.
In the Scripture above, note Satan’s line to Jesus: “If you are the Son of God…”
Jesus’ response? He didn’t buy into the idea He needed to prove anything. He didn’t feel the need to defend His name.
What He did do was answer Satan with the power of God’s Word. Satan knew he could not defeat those words! Each time Jesus answered with Scripture, what happened?
The scene closed. Satan knew there was no intermission. Satan knew he needed to find another script.
When were you last goaded by a pride-inducing script? Knowing Scripture can provide a ready answer.
Scripture also keeps the spotlight on God, and off you.
Yes, you can do all things, through Christ who gives you strength. (Philippians 4:13). Let Christ receive the credit!
Thanks for reading! Please return by Friday, May 31 for the next post!