Luke 4:9-12
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Jesus refused to put God to the test for the satisfaction of Satan. Angels in this passage would be forces/spirit/beings sent from God to protect Jesus. Jesus does not deny their existence, but puts Satan in his place by refusing to use his powers or his relationship with God in this way. (At least, this is how I understand these verses.) What does this mean to me today? I suppose one obvious thing would be to stop expecting proof of God’s existence or His love, whenever I feel doubts creeping in. Angels are not some kind of special force at my disposal. But they are powerful, and fully capable of doing God’s bidding. (Not my bidding.)
Lord God, strengthen my faith. Help me never to doubt, always to seek you, and always to follow your loving guidance. Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 4:9-12
Angels are God’s emissaries, not a troupe of tricksters and magicians sent for our amusement and entertainment. Jesus dismissed Satan’s pathetic ruse by quoting Scripture. He fully understood the role and dignity of angels and would not let that be belittled by satanic parlor games. The lesson for me is that I must also give God’s angels the same degree of respect. They have not been sent to serve me, but to serve the will and purposes of God.
Prayer - Lord of all angels, Jesus illuminates the fact that Your angels are Your servants, not mine. Help me keep my focus on how I may work with Your angels to see Your will, not mine, be done…
Luke 4:9-12
It is often when we are at our lowest (as Jesus was in the temptation story) that Satan is armed and ready to offer his solution. Although Jesus knew not to rely on an Angel rescue, he also knew verse 12–“you must not test the Lord your God.” If we haven’t made ourselves familiar with scripture, Satan will be ready as you can see in verse 13–“…..he left until the next opportunity came.”
Prayer: Gracious God, protect me with your knowledge from Satan’s grasp. I know he is always near. Amen
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21st. 2024
Luke 4:9-12
And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
One of the most powerful appearances of Jesus' life was that he choose to live his mortal life as a normal human being, avoiding any of his divine attributes . Jesus saw right through…