Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Jesus' Third Temptation

Satan took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed him the kingdoms of the world.  He tempted Jesus to exchange God's plan for Jesus with Satan's simple plan.  Satan said, "Worship me now and all this can be yours."  Satan worships in our ears, "You don't need God, look at all the world has to offer.  Truth is you want the house, car and sweet life more than you want to follow Jesus."
The way of Jesus is not always the most convenient way to live.  To humble yourself by serving others.  To deny yourself by fasting and prayer.  To love your enemies instead of hating them.  To give of yourself instead of just being selfish.  All these ways of life that Jesus teaches are part of the good life Jesus offers, but the temptation is to see them only as worn out traditions.  Old ways of thinking about faith.  Truly we are still tempted to seek a different way to the Father.
The good news is that with the way of Christ comes the fellowship with Christ and the hope of Christ that can live in our hearts.  All of God's promises are true to those who have faith and follow the way of Christ.

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