THE WORD 4 ev 1

Read Matthew 4 (Click here for link)

Yesterday a friend of mine sent me an email with a remarkable story attached. It is a report from CNN chronicling the humanitarian work of one man, Brad Blauser, who has given up almost everything to dedicate his full time to providing wheel chairs for handicapped children in that war torn nation of Iraq. The full story can be found here.

I kept thinking of this story as I read our text for this morning. Too often I think we read this familiar account about the temptation of Jesus and sort of just make assumptions about its application. Perhaps the most common assumption is that what Jesus does in this text provides us an example for how we can combat our own temptations in life. But how exactly does that work? How exactly is that going for you? How often do you find yourself winning the way Jesus wins that satanic encounter?

In fact, all too often, I fear that this is the way we read Scripture, as if it is an instruction manual for life and all I have to do is follow directions. However, if God intended his Word to be used as the great, cosmic how-to manual, then boy are we are in big trouble; because I think we have all been down that road a few times, and even though we may not always be the best at following instructions, Satan seems to have his way with us all too frequently. And since this is so often the case, I guess it must mean 1 of 2 things: God’s instructions aren’t working or we are just too dumb to follow them; either way, it doesn’t save anybody.

No, rather I see Matthew 4 as important for struggling Christians not so much for the example that Jesus set for our lives, but for the actual work that he accomplishes through this encounter. Jesus actually defeats Satan! John the Baptist had been preaching this all along, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We discover today that Jesus preaches the same message. A new kingdom is at hand, the reign of God is at work in a world dominated by a satanic kingdom and devilish rule. However the Prince of the new kingdom—God’s kingdom—is defeating the old satanic kingdom wherever he goes. Chapter 4 is sandwiched in this way. At the beginning of chapter 4 Jesus defeats Satan, himself, and then goes out into the world healing sickness and disease which are of Satan’s kingdom. And what does Jesus do in the middle of it all? He calls people to follow him. He calls people to come and do the work of the kingdom—people like the disciples and people like Brad Blauser!

Yes, Jesus' kingdom is about more than just forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is where the kingdom starts. Christ’s work has saved you. You are in the kingdom. But God is concerned with this world, too—the physical, everyday aspects of this life—and defeating Satan in every way that he reigns here in the world. The conflict between two kingdoms is all around us. In the midst of this war members of our church gathered this week in the sanctuary to sort and deliver food for the hungry of Houston, and the kingdom of heaven was advanced. A few days ago my wife bought some clothes for a widow in our congregation who was in the nursing home and didn’t have anything to wear, and the kingdom of heaven was advanced. This morning, members of Epiphany’s prayer chain are waking up and kneeling and praying for the many lonely, sick, and scared in our extended church family, and the kingdom of heaven is being advanced. And thousands of miles away a little Iraqi girl is receiving the greatest gift in the world—her ability to smile as she moves with freedom for the first time in her new wheelchair and the kingdom of heaven is advanced.

Be bold today as you bring the kingdom to bear on this world.

Pastor Aaron