When Trouble Takes a Break

Luke 4:13 - And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

We all experience difficult seasons. We may feel we have the “right” to a trouble free life, but life does not come with a trouble-free guarantee. When things are going well, they will get tough again. When are tough, they will get better.

Satan tested Jesus with “every temptation” then gave up. However, Luke is clear he only gave up until an “opportune” time came. Temptation often comes when we least expect it. One day we can win the victory, but the devil will be back. In the Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson painted that opportune time in Jesus’ life in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed, “If possible, remove this cup from me.” It makes sense that Satan launched his ultimate assault on Christ through the Crucifixion. Yet, Jesus was not caught off guard. He ultimately won the victory through his Resurrection. We need to be alert to Satan’s schemes. He will often attack when we are most vulnerable and not on the alert. If he is not pestering you now, he will be back, but you can overcome him, as Jesus did, through faith and the word of God.

What Matters Most?

Luke 4:6-7 – [Satan] said to [Jesus], “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

Satan’s second temptation of Jesus is probably the clearest to most of us. He gave Jesus the choice of having power over all the nations of the world if Jesus would worship him. In one sense, it seems like a small price for a huge gain. However, ultimately, Jesus will become King of Kings and Lord of Lords (See Revelation 19). Earning that title cost him everything, though. Satan gave him the opportunity to get it with a simple bow of the knee and the acknowledgement it represented.

What would you have done if given that choice? There are opportunities we have every day to give away our worship to something other than Jesus. Do you trade your integrity for financial gain, prestige, or pleasure? It is really a question of priorities. What matters most to you?

The Fact You Can Does Not Always Mean You Should

Luke 4:3 -The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

When playing games, whether Chess, Bridge, or Medal of Honor, there are many times you have an opportunity to take a piece, a trick, or an opponent that may give a short term victory but ultimately result in loss of the game. Jesus’ first temptation was like that. Verse two says he was hungry. Satan reminded him that as the Son of God, he had the power to turn stones into bread. In the short term, he could have eaten and satisfied his hunger. In the long term, he would have lost his ultimate victory.

So much of the temptation we face is like that. We can do it. It may bring short term benefit or pleasure, but we will ultimately lose what matters most. An indiscretion with a cohort, a fudged tax return, even that extra cookie may seem like a “win” at the time, but it is no fun to win a short battle and ultimately lose the war. Remember, you do not have to give in. When temptation comes, keep in mind the long term goal and seek God’s help to say no.

Passing the Tests

Luke 4:1-2 - And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

Our school year is off to a great start, but, at the end of the term, I will give my students a final exam. They will probably not like it, but it will be necessary to prove that they have learned the lessons I taught them. I will assign them a grade for the course, and they can order a transcript sent to a graduate school or potential employer to prove they are knowledgeable and competent in the subject.

In the English language we make a big distinction between the words “test” and “tempt,” but they are the same word in Greek. The devil may want to tempt us to take us down, but passing the test of temptation shows we are spiritually fit.

Notice that Jesus was intentionally led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (tested) by the devil. Through faithfulness and good use of scripture he passed that test and showed that he was ready for his ministry.

The next time you face temptation see it as an opportunity to prove you are ready for more. Temptation and tests will come, but as you trust in Christ you have what it takes to pass with flying colors.

Jesus Was

Luke 3:23 - Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli…

Many people will resist believing in Jesus because it seems so uncertain that such a person ever lived. Others may acknowledge the possibility of a First Century Palestinian Jew named Jesus gathering a following, but they cannot accept he was who he claimed to be. Doctor Luke seems to anticipate this skepticism. All through these first three chapters of his gospel and on through the rest of the gospel and the Book of Acts, Luke brings up evidence again and again that Jesus was and that he was who he claimed to be.

His introduction culminates with this genealogy. It contains real names of real people who really lived. Contemporary readers were invited to check out its validity. Notice, though, Luke gives credence to the virgin birth story he recorded a few pages ago: Jesus was “supposed” to be the son of Joseph. Enomizeto in Greek has two major ideas that both relate here: The first is thinking and considering – in other words, people “thought” Jesus was the son of Joseph. The second is the fact that the root of enomizeto is the root of the word that means law. In other words, Joseph was Jesus’ legal father. In both cases, Luke provides solid evidence of Jesus’ reality without denying his virgin birth and divinity.

Jesus was. He was a real person. However, he was unlike any other person who ever lived. In fact, he still lives. He still works. He still changes lives. If you have not yet come to trust him, I encourage you to do so. He will change your life.

The Power of Affirmation

Luke 3:22b - A voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Have you ever overheard someone describe you to another person? It is hard not to get itchy ears in such a case. You will typically either get angry or happy depending on how that person describes you. My doctoral mentor Leonard Sweet often says the greatest compliment you can give someone is to tell their story in front of others in a way that is accurate and honors them. This is what God the Father does for Jesus at the inauguration of his ministry while he is baptized by John.

These words are incredibly significant. They are drawn from the prophetic Divine Servant prophecies given by Isaiah 700 years earlier. They show intimate relationship: my beloved Son. They show trustworthy character and conduct: with you I am well pleased. They are given publicly so Jesus’ credibility with others is immediately established. They are even accompanied by the physical affirmation of the Holy Spirit descending on him in bodily form like a dove. Although Jesus was truly the Divine Son, this affirmation gave him immediate credibility with all those present and word about him spread.

When was the last time you publicly affirmed another? It is so easy to tear down others in gossip, but we have the opportunity every day to affirm others in a way that can establish their credibility and increase their ability to accomplish their mission. Look for a chance today to speak well of someone to another.

Good News Does Not Always Look Like It

Luke 3:18-20 So, with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

American media and marketing has led us to expect that life should be comfortable and fun all the time. Just watch any TV ad. If your life lacks anything other than pure pleasure and ease you MUST buy that product, visit that destination, or eat that food and then you will have life the way it is meant to be lived.

This idea of the “good life” and the “American dream” has infected our Christianity. Sadly, we have exported it around the world. Nigeria has many megachurches built on the prosperity gospel that says, “God want you to be rich and worldly successful.” I wonder what John the Baptist would say.

John “preached good news to the people.” Thousands responded to the message. He even got to baptize Jesus in direct fulfillment of the prophecy he gave. He was faithful. He successfully completed his mission. Yet, look how this episode ends: His faithfulness and success did not lead to wealth and comfort. Instead it led to prison and beheading.

Serving Jesus does not inevitably lead to prison and beheading. Millions of Christians have discovered God’s blessings flow in very tangible ways when we are faithfully obedient to him. Yet, we must not put our hope in the comforts of this life as if it is our divine right. The good news is about much more than that. I love the Laura Story song “Blessings” that drives this sentiment home:

What if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Get Ready

Luke 3:4b - “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.”

When opportunities come, those who are ready can seize them. When the storms of life come, those who are ready survive. It takes effort to get ready. It takes a willingness to sacrifice a little ease and pleasure now to have a great benefit long term. Getting ready requires intentionality, foresight, and even risk. We can work hard to get ready for something that never happens. Yet, those who are ready get the reward.

John the Baptist’s mission is summarized in this quote from Isaiah. All the gospels talk about the necessity of his coming to get people ready. He was like the coach working his team hard in the off season so they will be ready to win the playoffs. Athletes who want to win may not see the direct connection of those hours in the weight room when others are out sitting by the pool, but when it matters, those who are ready win. There are three kinds of time use: 1) Getting ready, 2) playing to win, or 3) unfruitful time. John warns us not to spend much time in that third category.

John’s mission involved challenging people to change their hearts and their behavior and go public with that commitment through baptism. He gave both the warning and the promise of Jesus’ coming. There were winners and losers. Those who were ready won when Jesus came by welcoming him into their lives. Some chose to ignore John’s message. Most of those ignored Jesus’ invitation. They missed their chance.

I have the privilege of helping students get ready to fulfill their callings. It takes time, money, and a lot of work. Yet, students who take the effort get themselves ready change the world when their time comes.

What time is it for you? Are you getting ready or is time to play to win?

Necessary Change

Luke 3:3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Years ago many strands of Christianity were infected by extreme legalism: People were told that if they watched movies, played cards, wore jewelry, or make up there was no way they could go to heaven. The message was: get your act together then maybe God will accept you. In a reaction to that, a new wave of grace-focused evangelism emerged: Just believe in Jesus and you will go to heaven. This provided a much needed reminder that we cannot earn our own salvation. Christ took our place on the cross, and we only receive that benefit by believing in him.

However, faith in Jesus is not intended to leave us the same. Jesus is our best friend, but he must also become our Lord and Master. As Jesus reminds us over and over in a variety of ways, we cannot love both Jesus and our sin. We must make a change when we come to Jesus. The word for that change in this passage is repentance. The Greek word is metanoia. It literal means a change of mind, but the implications are far greater. As we change our mind about our sin, a heart change should result, and, ultimately, a behavior change. As John instructs a few verses later: “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” He goes on to list specific examples for specific types of individuals. What does this essential change mean for you? As John suggest it may be an increase in generosity and kindness. Perhaps it will be a difference in your choice of words.

We do not work hard to earn God’s grace by our works, but as we receive that grace, we must repent, that is change our mind, heart, and actions. Our lives will change as a result.

In the Wilderness

Luke 3:1-2 - In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Are you famous? Are you influential? Are you at the top of your game? If not, you are in good company. In his quest for accuracy and solidity, Luke ties the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry to a specific date by noting all those in power around him. Luke did not need to mention of all these rulers. The statement, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,” would have been enough to let us know when John started baptizing. However, by mentioning regional Roman and Jewish leaders, Luke gives us a great contrast between those who seem to have power and those with lasting influence. All of those Roman governors like Pilate and Lysanias, the Idumean puppets Herod and Philip, and the Jewish priests Annas and Caiaphas fought hard to get their positions. There was no small amount of finagling, politicking, and manipulation to gain those places of prominence with their palaces and servants.

Meanwhile, “in the wilderness” God sought out someone who was completely unlike them: humble, unassuming, living with no comforts. No one would have guessed his impact would be felt centuries after the Roman Empire and all of its trappings had fallen. Those who looked like they had power ultimately lost it. The one who seemed to go unnoticed had the greatest impact.

Whatever your wilderness may be, remember that God will often speak to you there and do a greater work in and through you than can be immediately seen.

Get Wiser

Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him… 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Next to the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, Luke’s is the most eloquent Greek in the New Testament. Every word is intentional, and he adapts many Old Testament Hebrew writing styles and blends them with the most current Greek trends of his day. An example of this is the parallel statements above. They seem to say much the same thing: As Jesus grew up physically, he also grew in wisdom, and, as a result, he increased in “grace” (charis) with God and people.

It is interesting the Luke put these sentences as a sandwich around the story of Jesus staying behind in the temple in Jerusalem and impressing the teachers of the law that a twelve year old would understand more than they did. This certainly serves as an example of Jesus’ growth in wisdom and favor. While these verses give us a lot to think about in the nature of Jesus’ incarnation as one fully God yet still needing to grow in wisdom, they also give us a lot to think about in our own lives.

Note the direct connection between our level of wisdom and our level of favor with God and others. Wisdom (sofia) in the Greek world was not just knowledge, but an understanding of how to apply that knowledge to life and living accordingly. The smartest people are not always the wisest, but wise people are always in huge demand. Just ask any employer. Growing in wisdom helps us in every area of life. How can we grow wiser? James tells us to ask God for it (James 1:5), and Paul prays for God to give wisdom to his readers (Eph 1:17 & Col 1:9). Similarly, Solomon’s wisdom was a gift of God after his own prayer for it (I Kings 4:29). It is my daily prayer that God would grant me wisdom and the courage to use it. May he increase your wisdom and favor today, as well.        

What’s in a Name?

Luke 2:21 - He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Some names are given to pass on a family heritage. Others are given because the parents are into a certain movie star or popular figure. Sometimes a young mom does a Google search for the most interesting, unique name possible. Some parents name their children with the hope they will emulate the characteristics of someone else who had the name or what the name itself means.

Mary and Joseph had specific divine direction to give Jesus his name. Luke’s account includes Gabriel telling Mary, “You shall call his name Jesus.”  (Luke 1:31) Matthew records the angel telling Joseph, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Obviously, Jesus’ name was given on purpose.

Jesus is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament name Joshua. Joshua was Moses’ protégé and led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Jesus is the Son of God and makes the way for all of us to enter the ultimate Promised Land as we trust in Him by faith. Jesus/Joshua means “The LORD (Jehovah/YHWH – God’s personal name in Hebrew) saves.” As the angel makes it clear, Jesus is God’s way of saving us.

The first Joshua saved God’s people from captivity and homelessness at the hands of others and led them to a temporal home. Jesus saves us from captivity at our own hands (sin) and leads us to an eternal, heavenly home when we believe in Him. As the Apostle Peter said shortly after Christ’s resurrection and ascension to Heaven, “There is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)