Warriors Arise: June 25, 2021
Matthew 4:5-9 (NKJV) Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
I wanted to make sure you had verses 5-7 because verse 8 starts of with again. The tempter is just stuck. He is caught in his own little world. He is totally unable to comprehend what is happening. He thinks because Jesus allowed him to take Him to the pinnacle of the temple that he is the one in charge. Jesus willingly goes, kind of like a person who knows they can beat you on the basketball court. They know they do not have anything to prove. They hope you get-a-clue, before you humiliate yourself. So, they casually defend, rebound, and put the ball in the basket time and time again. There is no need for to talk smack. They just let their ability speak, until you realize they are better than you.
My youngest daughter, Charis is 9 and is learning to balance this out with her older brother, Josiah, who is 18. When they were both younger Josiah allowed her to think she was winning. But now that she is 9, she understands the idea of winning. When she gets too cocky he will gradually dominate in the game. Then she acknowledges his ability. But they had fun playing the game even if she can't truly keep up. My point is that Jesus already knows He has won and will solidify His authority is a short amount of time. He doesn't need to get bent-out-of-shape by the arrogance of the tempter.
The tempter took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple; yet, Jesus was not tempted. So then he takes Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain. Evidently, he feels if Jesus would get high enough and see far enough, He would understand the power the tempter held. The devil seemed to think, if Jesus saw the power then He would be jealous, maybe even envious and bow down to him. Oh, the delight the tempter takes in displaying all of his power. I wonder if Jesus chuckled thinking, "All this, that you think is yours, will no longer be, in a short while."
Think about it. Jesus was about to begin dislodging not only the tempter but all the demons that roamed the earth.
Matthew 4:23 (NKJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people
Luke 8:26-33 (NKJV) Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
The tempter showed Jesus all that he deceived Eve into giving him and that Adam relinquished, and it did not tempt Jesus into bowing down to him. It was totally not a temptation, because Jesus was about to retake everything one person at a time. Shortly, He would be commissioning His disciples and they would begin to remove the enemy and his demons in 35+ cities and towns.
Luke 10:17-18 (NKJV) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Again the tempter tried to lure Jesus to worship him. But Jesus knew everything He saw would soon be His. People would know the love of God and have a choice to receive all He had for them. Jesus would make it possible for people to come away from the lies and possessions of the enemy. Soon the people will get to see the freedom God offers. Everything was about to change. By the tempter showing Jesus all of this, it only made His purpose greater, and did not compel him to surrender His mission.
Father, You are amazing! Jesus stood against the testing of the tempter. Jesus kept before Him the purpose for which He came to earth. Jesus would not be lured to give up what He was sent to earth to do. Jesus was sent to make a way for all people to live in freedom. I ask for You to come and remind me the dreams You have placed inside of me. I ask for a renewing of my purpose and for my body soul, and spirit to be set on fulfilling what You have placed in me to do. I pray for my resolve to be concrete on the plans You have for me. You are my God and have always had a plan for me. You created me too do great exploits. I will seek You and find You. I will listen and be reminded of Your purpose for my life. I will give You glory and worship You for all You have done in me and through me to advance Your kingdom in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
Comments