KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, October 05, 2016
Chapters: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3
Message: The Power To Resist Any Temptation
Hello My Friend,
In all my excitement I forgot to give info on the Book of Matthew. The Book of Matthew contains twenty-eight chapters, the author is Matthew and it was written to all believers. Matthew was one of the unlikeliest men to follow Jesus, as he was a tax collector, people despised them because most were cheats. Matthew is one illustration that no matter what your position Jesus accepts everyone who believes in Him. This Gospel was addressed to the Jews, whom Jesus was presented as the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. This connects him at once with two of the most important Old Testament Covenants, the Davidic Covenant of kingship, and the Abrahamic Covenant of promise. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as King of the Jews. What we are to learn from the book is the Gospel of Christ and that it is to be preached in all the world until He returns. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” – Matthew 24:14.
If there is one thing I have learned over the past couple of years it is that God’s people come from all walks of life, some very rich, some very poor, some very proper, some very rugged. While our appearance has nothing to do with our salvation it is our actions that show whether or not we are one of Christ’s. The story of John the Baptist is written in three of the four Gospels, John is described as a pretty rugged looking guy, but he carried an important message, and did not care who they were, the same message applied to all. People would flock to the Jordan river to profess their faith and get baptized to show their remission of their sins. All of a sudden the Pharisees and Sadducees show up, these were the religious groups who based salvation on their works.
“And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” – Matthew 3:4-9.
“We have Abraham to our father:” John knew that these men believed they were saved because they were of Abraham’s seed, but John said something that no one ever did before, being one of his seed will not save them. The Jews still believe that since they are Jews they are automatically saved, this is no truer than those who believe they are saved because they are Catholic or Muslim. Luke goes into more detail about John preaching to the people, after they heard that being Abraham’s seed would not save them they began asking them what they needed to do to be saved. John, fully knowing the answer to this tells them what they can do to show they are.
“And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” – Luke 3:10-16.
“And what shall we do?” John’s words were not something these men were use to hearing, they began wondering if He was the Messiah. We must understand that when the people went to get baptized by John it was not for their salvation, remission means forgiveness, they wanted to be forgiven of their sins and did not want to commit them anymore. Remission of sins is not about receiving Christ and continuing to live in sin, it is about receiving Christ, fulling knowing that He is their salvation, and removing the sin. You know, people think that the second they get saved that things will change immediately, this is a false narrative which sends more people away from Him than to Him. It takes time to remove sin from our lives, especially if we do not know what we are doing is sin, but we can overcome all sin, we just have to want to. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – I Corinthians 10:13.
The Book of Mark contains sixteen chapters, the Author is Mark and it was written to all believers. This Gospel was addressed to the Romans, the Gentiles, whom Jesus is presented as the Servant of God. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as a servant and the Son of man. What we are to learn from the book is that we are to seek and minister to the Gospel to everyone. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15.
Many people believe that the entire time Jesus was on the earth He was making miracles happen, but the truth is, He lived just like you and I. Why? To show that He was like everyone else and all can live a sinless life, in the flesh. For thirty years Jesus, who is God Himself, subjected Himself under the Law, just like every God fearing Jew, or I should say person, did, and as far as they knew He was the son of Joseph. The time had come for Him to be known, although He had no sin He came to John the Baptist to be baptized.
“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:9-15.
“And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.” As soon as the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus He was put to the test, for forty days He remained in the wilderness subject to the devil. Let me tell you, when the Holy Spirit is in you you can expect to be put to the test sometimes by God Himself. Why? To see if you will turn to Him for help to overcome the temptation. No one is exempt from being tempted by the devil, but all can resist the devil by the power of God. God led Jesus into the wilderness and let the devil tempt Him to prove a point, that He is always with us and has His angels watching over us. Once Jesus came out of the wilderness He immediately began His ministry, amazingly, even though multitudes saw Jesus in the flesh, not all believed, in fact, many believed Him to be of the devil, but even the devil’s people knew who Jesus was. As He was traveling through Capernaum, he preached in the synagogue, a man possessed by a devil was in the midst of the crowd.
“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.” – Mark 1:25-28,35-37.
“he came out of him.” Yes, even the devil has to obey God, he might be allowed to afflict us, but when God tells him to stop he must obey. Many sought Jesus, but not to receive Him as their Saviour. It is pretty sad that the devil knows more about Jesus than some people who claim to be Christians, if we truly seek Him in our lives, we will humble ourselves before Him, admit we cannot do this without Him, and receive Him wholeheartedly. Amazingly, while Jesus is fully God and capable of all things, He thought it necessary to pray to His Father. It is prayer that keeps us out of temptation, without it we lose all communication with our Father.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” – James 4:7-10.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15.
Today’s Prayer: God, It is only by our faith in You that we can please You. Help us to run this crazy race of life with patience, by faith, and looking for the blessed hope that only You can give us. Give us Your power to look to You through all our joys and sorrows and to be a witness of just how much believing in the Gospel has changed my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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