The Ultimate Leader

PSALM 59; MATTHEW 4

The Psalm speaks of God always overcoming adversity. It is an appropriate lead-in to the passage in Matthew. This passage begins with the temptation of Jesus. He is driven into the desert and tempted three times by the devil. After he defeats the devil Jesus begins to call his disciples and then begins to preach.

The account of Jesus being tempted by the devil is an easy one to simply read over quickly and dismiss as Jesus turning down three offers from the devil. It was more than that however. Jesus had been fasting for forty days in the desert and would have been extremely hungry. The temptation by the devil was not just a random offer. It was very real temptation. The devil gave Jesus an opportunity to have food after having gone without for so long. I am not sure if I would have been able to turn down such an offer. Jesus however used the one ultimate defence against any form of temptation. He responded to the devil with scripture. Regardless of the temptation scripture is the source that can give me the strength and power to defeat temptation. Although the devil tried to use scripture against Jesus it was to no avail.

Also, very interesting from this passage in Matthew is the manner in which both Jesus calls his disciples and the manner in which they respond. Jesus does not approach them and ask if they would be interested in following him. He approaches men he has not met before and commands that they follow him. What is amazing is that they not only agree to do so but they literally drop what they are doing and follow Jesus. How often when I am asked to do something particularly for God do I respond with something along the lines of, "Yes I'll follow you but just let me get my affairs in order. I have a few loose ends to tie up." That is not how Jesus' disciples responded. They instantly stopped what they were doing and followed Jesus.

There is so much that I can glean from this passage. It is a very real wake up call. The first is that the ultimate defense against temptation is scripture. In order to use scripture as a weapon of defense I must know scripture. This is something I have to begin to put much effort into. If I intend to follow God and to serve him, I better have an idea as to what he says in his Word. Also, when I am faced with temptation I will be unshakable because I will have the infinite strength of the Word of God at my disposal. Finally, within what appears to be a developing theme I must be constantly ready and willing to drop what I am doing and follow God when he calls me. Jesus was the ultimate example of how to live life, avoid temptation and serve God. I am choosing to consciously live my life more and more like my Ultimate Leader lived his.

Dear God,

Thank you for sending the Ultimate Leader Jesus Christ to save my life and to give me examples of how to live my new life. Thank you for providing me with the Bible so that I can have a permanent reference of how Jesus lived and a guide to how I am supposed to live my life. I pray tonight that you will give me an unquenchable appetite for scripture and a burning desire to follow you where and when you call me. Please help me to continually serve you better and to continually live my life for your glory! Thank you for your love.

Amen