To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, `I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all." John3:27-30
In this, our final contemplation of JohnB's perspectives on Jesus, we get to see a very beautiful picture of JohnB's understanding of Jesus.
JohnB's disciples came running to him to tell him that Jesus was baptising people too and they were concerned that JohnB was losing "market share."
But JohnB uses a lovely illustration from Jewish marriage feasts to put himself in perspective. In Jewish culture, the bride wore a veil throughout the celebrations. When they retired to the wedding chamber, the friend of the bridegroom would crouch outside one of the windows to hear the groom's cry of delight when he took off his bride's veil.
JohnB isn't in competition with Jesus - he just wants to see the bride (the church) and groom (Jesus) together. His life's ambition is to see Jesus exalted with His bride. Jesus is the one who is "from above" and JohnB knows that he is from earth.
And so JohnB expresses his life-mission: "He must become greater - I must become less."
We have to realise how significant JohnB's statement is: We have seen Jesus from the perspective of the cross, the resurrection and the ascension - JohnB has only seen the beard and the sandals, maybe heard of one or two miracles and seen the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. To have an insight like this is amazing.
Later JohnB would have doubts - a dark night of the soul while in prison. But Jesus reassures him: The lame walk, the blind see and the good news is preached.
JohnB saw Jesus clearly - Jesus is the bridegroom from above who will rescue and delight in His bride. JohnB sees himself clearly too.
How would the church be if we all got on with serving God and it would Jesus alone who gets the glory?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 31, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-29 [Lent2014] 19. Clearly identifies (JohnB)
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John1:29
JohnB clearly identifies Jesus: "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world..."
JohnB has been preaching repentance and has been baptising those willing to repent. The scholars tell us that his baptism was very similar to Proselyte Baptism. (When Gentiles embraced the Jewish faith - they went through Proselyte Baptism symbolising the washing away of their old lives and the beginning of a new life. When they came out of the waters they were given a new Jewish name, a new set of clothes and they were regarded as a one-day-old-Jew - this was their new birthday.)
Now John explains how the sin of the world is going to be dealt with. The Lamb of God will take it away.
For Jewish listeners there were powerful connections:
1. They remembered that the Passover Lamb's blood kept the Angel of Death from their door.
2. They remembered that the blood of the sacrifices brought atonement for their sins.
3. They remembered that the sacrificial lamb had to be perfect and without blemish.
JohnB will baptise this Lamb of God - the best analogy I can use is that the perfect Lamb of God climbs into our dirty bathwater to take on the sin of the world.
He wants to take our sins far away....
As far as the East is from the West...
So that they are remembered no more...
This is what Easter is all about!!!
Let's worship Him especially this Sunday!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
JohnB clearly identifies Jesus: "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world..."
JohnB has been preaching repentance and has been baptising those willing to repent. The scholars tell us that his baptism was very similar to Proselyte Baptism. (When Gentiles embraced the Jewish faith - they went through Proselyte Baptism symbolising the washing away of their old lives and the beginning of a new life. When they came out of the waters they were given a new Jewish name, a new set of clothes and they were regarded as a one-day-old-Jew - this was their new birthday.)
Now John explains how the sin of the world is going to be dealt with. The Lamb of God will take it away.
For Jewish listeners there were powerful connections:
1. They remembered that the Passover Lamb's blood kept the Angel of Death from their door.
2. They remembered that the blood of the sacrifices brought atonement for their sins.
3. They remembered that the sacrificial lamb had to be perfect and without blemish.
JohnB will baptise this Lamb of God - the best analogy I can use is that the perfect Lamb of God climbs into our dirty bathwater to take on the sin of the world.
He wants to take our sins far away....
As far as the East is from the West...
So that they are remembered no more...
This is what Easter is all about!!!
Let's worship Him especially this Sunday!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 28, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-28 [Lent2014] 20. Somebody's coming! (JohnB)
20 days of Lent to go! In this journey toward the resurrection it is good for us to be reminded who Jesus is...
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John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. Luke3:16-18
The crowds were wondering whether John was the Messiah.
John is quick to straighten their thinking. He's very clear - he is merely a forerunner. There is ONE who will follow him:- SOMEBODY's coming!
What does John have to say about the ONE who is coming?
1. He is much more powerful and worthy than John. John only baptises with water. It's important to realise that John's baptism was one of repentance - it didn't even symbolise everything that Christian baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit represented. (We see this in Acts 19:1-4 where Paul comes across people who have been baptised with John's Baptism but have not been baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit and so Paul baptises them.)
2. The ONE who is coming is glorious - John sees himself as unworthy to unfasten His sandals.
3. The ONE who is coming baptises in the life-changing power of the Spirit.
4. But He also baptises with fire which is the symbol of judgement. When wheat is threshed, it is thrown up into the air with a winnowing fork and the chaff (the husks of the wheat) are blown to one side and burned.
John must have been tempted to let the spotlight fall on him and to become an end in himself, but he resists the temptation. He realises that even the baptism he performs points toward a greater reality.
Sometimes we are tempted to make much of what we do for God. John puts us in our place - for us SOMEBODY whose sandals we can't even untie _has_ come and He is coming again!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------
John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. Luke3:16-18
The crowds were wondering whether John was the Messiah.
John is quick to straighten their thinking. He's very clear - he is merely a forerunner. There is ONE who will follow him:- SOMEBODY's coming!
What does John have to say about the ONE who is coming?
1. He is much more powerful and worthy than John. John only baptises with water. It's important to realise that John's baptism was one of repentance - it didn't even symbolise everything that Christian baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit represented. (We see this in Acts 19:1-4 where Paul comes across people who have been baptised with John's Baptism but have not been baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit and so Paul baptises them.)
2. The ONE who is coming is glorious - John sees himself as unworthy to unfasten His sandals.
3. The ONE who is coming baptises in the life-changing power of the Spirit.
4. But He also baptises with fire which is the symbol of judgement. When wheat is threshed, it is thrown up into the air with a winnowing fork and the chaff (the husks of the wheat) are blown to one side and burned.
John must have been tempted to let the spotlight fall on him and to become an end in himself, but he resists the temptation. He realises that even the baptism he performs points toward a greater reality.
Sometimes we are tempted to make much of what we do for God. John puts us in our place - for us SOMEBODY whose sandals we can't even untie _has_ come and He is coming again!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 27, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-27 [Lent2014] 21. Unexpected message (JohnB)
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
`Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." Luke3:3-14
JohnB's message is both expected and unexpected.
On the one hand his coming had been prophesied by Isaiah and we know that he was to prepare the way for the Lord. After 400 silent years and in the midst of Roman oppression one would sincerely hope for a message of valleys filled in, mountains made low, rough ways made smooth and God's salvation revealed for all humankind.
What is unexpected is the strong moral ethical slant of John's preaching. He doesn't spiritualise the kingdom into pie-in-the-sky-one-day-when-you-die. For him the Kingdom is profoundly practical and ethical. He presents God's standard for life here on earth.
Even more unexpected is that his message is a no-nonsense confrontation that urges people to sort themselves out. And this is precisely where we struggle: JohnB sounds like he is asking people to resort to salvation-by-works: to "pull up their socks" and pull themselves up by their sandal-straps.
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."
"Don't collect more tax than you should."
"Don't extort or accuse falsely. Be content with your pay."
If all JohnB did was to preach, then we could relegate his preaching to salvation-by-works. But along with his message, JohnB BAPTISED. This symbolic act spoke of cleansing, death to self and a new beginning. None of his hearers could claim to have done all JohnB called them to. So they were baptised as a recognition that they needed God to work in them.
Furthermore JohnB made it clear that while he baptised in water, Jesus would baptise in the Spirit.
When last have you been through JohnB's standards for life here on earth? Have you recently recognised that you can't do it by yourself and come to God in repentant trust for forgiveness and new life?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
`Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." Luke3:3-14
JohnB's message is both expected and unexpected.
On the one hand his coming had been prophesied by Isaiah and we know that he was to prepare the way for the Lord. After 400 silent years and in the midst of Roman oppression one would sincerely hope for a message of valleys filled in, mountains made low, rough ways made smooth and God's salvation revealed for all humankind.
What is unexpected is the strong moral ethical slant of John's preaching. He doesn't spiritualise the kingdom into pie-in-the-sky-one-day-when-you-die. For him the Kingdom is profoundly practical and ethical. He presents God's standard for life here on earth.
Even more unexpected is that his message is a no-nonsense confrontation that urges people to sort themselves out. And this is precisely where we struggle: JohnB sounds like he is asking people to resort to salvation-by-works: to "pull up their socks" and pull themselves up by their sandal-straps.
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."
"Don't collect more tax than you should."
"Don't extort or accuse falsely. Be content with your pay."
If all JohnB did was to preach, then we could relegate his preaching to salvation-by-works. But along with his message, JohnB BAPTISED. This symbolic act spoke of cleansing, death to self and a new beginning. None of his hearers could claim to have done all JohnB called them to. So they were baptised as a recognition that they needed God to work in them.
Furthermore JohnB made it clear that while he baptised in water, Jesus would baptise in the Spirit.
When last have you been through JohnB's standards for life here on earth? Have you recently recognised that you can't do it by yourself and come to God in repentant trust for forgiveness and new life?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-26 [Lent2014] 22.A Father's obedience and a son's destiny(JohnB)
LK 1:62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him. Luke1:62-79
After 400 Silent Years (it had been that long since the Israelites had someone come and say "thus says the Lord") an angel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that he and his elderly wife Elizabeth would have a son who would be the forerunner of the Messiah.
The angel also told him to call their son "John" which means "The LORD is gracious but Zechariah was sceptical and so he was deprived of the ability to speak until their son was born. "
When their son was born, the family wanted to name him Zechariah after his dad but Elizabeth was insistent that he should be called John and so they asked Zechariah...
When Zechariah indicated that it would be "John" his tongue was loosened and he burst forth in praise and prophecy.
In his praise Zechariah recognises God as a God of strength and rescue who delivers His people - a God who keeps His promises and allows us to serve Him without fear. It is beautiful praise.
He also recognises a significant destiny for his son, John:
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace."
I also think that you and I, as children of God and filled with His Spirit get to share in this same wonderful calling!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
After 400 Silent Years (it had been that long since the Israelites had someone come and say "thus says the Lord") an angel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that he and his elderly wife Elizabeth would have a son who would be the forerunner of the Messiah.
The angel also told him to call their son "John" which means "The LORD is gracious but Zechariah was sceptical and so he was deprived of the ability to speak until their son was born. "
When their son was born, the family wanted to name him Zechariah after his dad but Elizabeth was insistent that he should be called John and so they asked Zechariah...
When Zechariah indicated that it would be "John" his tongue was loosened and he burst forth in praise and prophecy.
In his praise Zechariah recognises God as a God of strength and rescue who delivers His people - a God who keeps His promises and allows us to serve Him without fear. It is beautiful praise.
He also recognises a significant destiny for his son, John:
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace."
I also think that you and I, as children of God and filled with His Spirit get to share in this same wonderful calling!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-25 [Lent2014] 23. JohnB - Preparing the way
John the Baptist (JohnB) had the task of preparing the way for the coming Messiah. We'll spend the next few days examining JohnB's life and message...
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LK 1:39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke1:39-44
Jesus mother, Mary, was related to JohnB's mother, Elizabeth. We're not told precisely how they were related, but when the angel tells Mary that she is going to bear the Messiah, he also tells her that her relative Elizabeth is pregnant and so Mary travels to see her.
Elizabeth was six months pregnant and when Mary arrived, and the unborn JohnB leaps within her. This is a supernatural event - the unborn JohnB recognises that his Creator, Lord and Saviour (although hidden from sight in Mary's womb) is near. He responds with great joy.
We can wonder how that happened... How is it that an unborn could perceive, understand and respond? It is an interesting discussion, but I'm quite content to leave the mechanics to God. What grips and grabs me is that we have an insight into the core of John's nature and character: the coming of the Messiah brings him incredible joy.
At some level this unborn child recognises the wonder of the Word made flesh. At some level he senses that the Son of God has become the Son of Man ---> and he DANCES!!
How do we think about the wonder of the Word made flesh?
What would JohnB have done if he'd been alive to see Jesus set His face like flint toward Jerusalem?
What if he'd seen Jesus in Gethsemane?
Or being flogged?
Or crucified?
Or risen?
Even before he was born JohnB started to teach us that Jesus' coming unto our world is a wondrous and incredible thing.
We should learn from him and dance!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
--------------------
LK 1:39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke1:39-44
Jesus mother, Mary, was related to JohnB's mother, Elizabeth. We're not told precisely how they were related, but when the angel tells Mary that she is going to bear the Messiah, he also tells her that her relative Elizabeth is pregnant and so Mary travels to see her.
Elizabeth was six months pregnant and when Mary arrived, and the unborn JohnB leaps within her. This is a supernatural event - the unborn JohnB recognises that his Creator, Lord and Saviour (although hidden from sight in Mary's womb) is near. He responds with great joy.
We can wonder how that happened... How is it that an unborn could perceive, understand and respond? It is an interesting discussion, but I'm quite content to leave the mechanics to God. What grips and grabs me is that we have an insight into the core of John's nature and character: the coming of the Messiah brings him incredible joy.
At some level this unborn child recognises the wonder of the Word made flesh. At some level he senses that the Son of God has become the Son of Man ---> and he DANCES!!
How do we think about the wonder of the Word made flesh?
What would JohnB have done if he'd been alive to see Jesus set His face like flint toward Jerusalem?
What if he'd seen Jesus in Gethsemane?
Or being flogged?
Or crucified?
Or risen?
Even before he was born JohnB started to teach us that Jesus' coming unto our world is a wondrous and incredible thing.
We should learn from him and dance!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 24, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-24 [Lent2014] 24.Temptations examined... (Conclusion)
And here's today's one!!! Two in one day! :-)
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Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew4:11
I'm very comforted by this verse.
There have been times in my life where I have wrestled and grappled. When by God's grace and with the help of His Spirit I've managed to resist and do the right thing, it has often come at great cost.
I have experienced the sense of relief and comfort that follows and I have attributed it to the angels attending.
There are a number of other verses that comfort me when I am tempted:
1. God doesn't tempt me and I can ask for wisdom
James 1:13-14 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James 1:5 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
2. Jesus prays for me when I am tempted.
Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
3. God will protect me from overload and He'll provide a way out.
1Cor10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
4. Jesus helps me:
Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
I hope these comfort you too!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew4:11
I'm very comforted by this verse.
There have been times in my life where I have wrestled and grappled. When by God's grace and with the help of His Spirit I've managed to resist and do the right thing, it has often come at great cost.
I have experienced the sense of relief and comfort that follows and I have attributed it to the angels attending.
There are a number of other verses that comfort me when I am tempted:
1. God doesn't tempt me and I can ask for wisdom
James 1:13-14 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James 1:5 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
2. Jesus prays for me when I am tempted.
Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
3. God will protect me from overload and He'll provide a way out.
1Cor10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
4. Jesus helps me:
Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
I hope these comfort you too!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
EMMDEV 2014-03-22 [Lent2014] 25.Temptations examined...(3)
(Again, please forgive the delay - it's been a crazy weekend and hectic week start... :-) )
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Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew4:8-10
Jesus has already been tempted to be self-sufficient and use His power for self-satisfaction. (Turn stones into bread.) He has been tempted to be impressive and to force God to fit in with His plans (Jump off the temple and be caught by the angels.)
Now the final temptation comes.
Satan shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world and their splendour and offers them to Jesus at the cost of worshipping him.
I've often wondered about this temptation...
Would Jesus, who spoke galaxies into being, honestly be tempted by wealth and splendour? Or was it the people?
Did Satan show Jesus the kingdoms of people and the splendour of humanity and offer them to Him? Remember how Paul describes our human condition in Eph 2:1-2 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
Satan was the prince of this world, and sin-broken humanity were in his clutches. Jesus' mission was to ransom and redeem us -to buy us out of sin-guilt but that would cost the cross.
I think Satan dangles the people, the world that "God so loved" (Jn3:16), in front of Jesus and says: "You don't have to go to the cross..." Just bow down and worship ME. Take a shortcut! Don't go the route of suffering - take an easier path, just bow down and I'll give them to you!
Jesus is crystal clear - this won't happen! He dismisses Satan: the toughest temptation has failed. Jesus is "hell-bent" (pun intended) on saving us - and He won't take shortcuts!
HALLELUJAH!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
-----------------------
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew4:8-10
Jesus has already been tempted to be self-sufficient and use His power for self-satisfaction. (Turn stones into bread.) He has been tempted to be impressive and to force God to fit in with His plans (Jump off the temple and be caught by the angels.)
Now the final temptation comes.
Satan shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world and their splendour and offers them to Jesus at the cost of worshipping him.
I've often wondered about this temptation...
Would Jesus, who spoke galaxies into being, honestly be tempted by wealth and splendour? Or was it the people?
Did Satan show Jesus the kingdoms of people and the splendour of humanity and offer them to Him? Remember how Paul describes our human condition in Eph 2:1-2 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
Satan was the prince of this world, and sin-broken humanity were in his clutches. Jesus' mission was to ransom and redeem us -to buy us out of sin-guilt but that would cost the cross.
I think Satan dangles the people, the world that "God so loved" (Jn3:16), in front of Jesus and says: "You don't have to go to the cross..." Just bow down and worship ME. Take a shortcut! Don't go the route of suffering - take an easier path, just bow down and I'll give them to you!
Jesus is crystal clear - this won't happen! He dismisses Satan: the toughest temptation has failed. Jesus is "hell-bent" (pun intended) on saving us - and He won't take shortcuts!
HALLELUJAH!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 22, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-21 [Lent2014] 26.Temptations examined...(2)
(Apologies for this one being late - I was in long weekend mode - The eDev slipped my mind completely!!)
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5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" `He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew4:5-7
The second temptation takes things to a whole new level and that's not only because they are at highest point of the temple!
Here's why:
1. Satan, having recognised that Jesus uses Scripture as a defence, now also makes (mis-)use of Scripture.
2. Again He tries to appeal to vanity: "If you are the Son of God..."
3. This time, it looks like Jesus' work/ministry could be assisted by doing what Satan suggests, because the people in Jerusalem would see Him on top of the temple and when the angels caught Him, they would know that He was the Messiah.
So what is this temptation all about?
1. It's the temptation to be impressive and grab the limelight by a display of power and influence. ("See! God listens to ME!")
2. It's about making God fit into our agendas and abusing God's promises to make us look good. Had He jumped, the assumption would be that God would be forced to rescue Him. This places Jesus in the driving seat instead of in the passenger seat. It's a case of "Here I go Lord, please bless _my_ plans."
3. It's the temptation to lead by being impressive instead of leading with character. It is significant how often Jesus healed people and then asked them to keep it quiet.
We may not be tempted to jump off tall buildings, but we can be tempted to "strut our stuff" and "show our clout." We name-drop or experience-brag. We like to appear super-spiritual.
We're also tempted to rush ahead of God and ask Him to bless our plans - to reduce Him to a vending-Deity, giving us what we want when we push the claim-a-promise-button.
Jesus refuses to do that - He refuses to muscle into the driver's seat and move God into the passenger seat. He won't hold God to ransom!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
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5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" `He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew4:5-7
The second temptation takes things to a whole new level and that's not only because they are at highest point of the temple!
Here's why:
1. Satan, having recognised that Jesus uses Scripture as a defence, now also makes (mis-)use of Scripture.
2. Again He tries to appeal to vanity: "If you are the Son of God..."
3. This time, it looks like Jesus' work/ministry could be assisted by doing what Satan suggests, because the people in Jerusalem would see Him on top of the temple and when the angels caught Him, they would know that He was the Messiah.
So what is this temptation all about?
1. It's the temptation to be impressive and grab the limelight by a display of power and influence. ("See! God listens to ME!")
2. It's about making God fit into our agendas and abusing God's promises to make us look good. Had He jumped, the assumption would be that God would be forced to rescue Him. This places Jesus in the driving seat instead of in the passenger seat. It's a case of "Here I go Lord, please bless _my_ plans."
3. It's the temptation to lead by being impressive instead of leading with character. It is significant how often Jesus healed people and then asked them to keep it quiet.
We may not be tempted to jump off tall buildings, but we can be tempted to "strut our stuff" and "show our clout." We name-drop or experience-brag. We like to appear super-spiritual.
We're also tempted to rush ahead of God and ask Him to bless our plans - to reduce Him to a vending-Deity, giving us what we want when we push the claim-a-promise-button.
Jesus refuses to do that - He refuses to muscle into the driver's seat and move God into the passenger seat. He won't hold God to ransom!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 20, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-03-20 [Lent2014] 27.Temptations examined...(1)
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matthew4:2-4
The temptations came after the fast - Jesus had completed His fasting. Satan wasn't tempting Jesus to break His fast - his temptation was more subtle.
Turning stones into bread would have solved Jesus' hunger problem.
On the face of it, it seems innocuous. He'd fasted hard, what would be wrong in Jesus doing something for Himself. Surely He'd earned it?
Maybe in modern day language Satan would have sounded like this: "So, you've done your God-thing waiting and fasting, but now all you have to show for it are some hunger-pains. But that's not a problem! You're the Son of God! (And why would a Father want to make you fast for so long anyway?) Just whip up some Messiah Magic, make some rock cookies and chow down!"
Jesus is being tempted to give in to short-term gratification.
Instead of waiting for God, He must make His own plan.
It's the temptation to rush in and be self-sufficient instead of God-reliant. It's about getting our priorities wrong.
Jesus sees right through the temptation: I'm more than my body and its hungers - short-term gratification needs to be put on hold for better things. I won't use my power for my comfort.
This is always the temptation of power - to use it for my own comfort. This lies at the heart of so much of the corruption we're seeing around us today.
It's also about learning to wait for God's timing. Unlike the husband who was in financial trouble... He prayed all night and handed the problem over to God. But in the morning he went off and sold his wife’s wedding ring, only to find an anonymous donation in his postbox when he returned.
Will we trust God and wait for Him?
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matthew4:2-4
The temptations came after the fast - Jesus had completed His fasting. Satan wasn't tempting Jesus to break His fast - his temptation was more subtle.
Turning stones into bread would have solved Jesus' hunger problem.
On the face of it, it seems innocuous. He'd fasted hard, what would be wrong in Jesus doing something for Himself. Surely He'd earned it?
Maybe in modern day language Satan would have sounded like this: "So, you've done your God-thing waiting and fasting, but now all you have to show for it are some hunger-pains. But that's not a problem! You're the Son of God! (And why would a Father want to make you fast for so long anyway?) Just whip up some Messiah Magic, make some rock cookies and chow down!"
Jesus is being tempted to give in to short-term gratification.
Instead of waiting for God, He must make His own plan.
It's the temptation to rush in and be self-sufficient instead of God-reliant. It's about getting our priorities wrong.
Jesus sees right through the temptation: I'm more than my body and its hungers - short-term gratification needs to be put on hold for better things. I won't use my power for my comfort.
This is always the temptation of power - to use it for my own comfort. This lies at the heart of so much of the corruption we're seeing around us today.
It's also about learning to wait for God's timing. Unlike the husband who was in financial trouble... He prayed all night and handed the problem over to God. But in the morning he went off and sold his wife’s wedding ring, only to find an anonymous donation in his postbox when he returned.
Will we trust God and wait for Him?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
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