Jesus Resists Temptation

May 4, 2014 Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:13 – 16; 8:3; Psalm 91:11, 12; Matthew 4:1 – 11 Lesson Passage: Deuteronomy 6:13 – 16; Matthew 4:1 – 11 The bible plainly declares that Jesus was tempted in every manner in which we are but he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). This declaration is not that Jesus was tempted with exactly the same temptation that we encounter but rather every type or form of temptation we encounter, Jesus endured. Today’s lesson provides a great summary of types or forms of temptations. I firmly believe that every temptation that mankind faces in every society and generation can be reduced in essence to one of the types that Jesus was confronted with in the wilderness. Needless to say, Jesus resisted all of them without sin. I believe the passage from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 4 can be classified into three distinct forms of temptation. First, there is the temptation to use one’s power, authority, or position to satisfy one’s own flesh. It is this temptation that reduces a spiritual person to one who is carnal or worldly. It is indeed a great urging upon a person to be selfish and self-serving while feeling any sense of ability or privilege to do so. This is not a learned behavior but it is, as it would seem, instinctive. As babies we quickly begin to manipulate adults and others around us to meet whatever physical or emotional fulfillment we seek. This instinct grows stronger as we age. After forty days and nights of fasting, Jesus was very hungry. The devil tempted Jesus to use his omnipotence to change rocks into food to satisfy his physical hunger. Secondly, there is the desire to test God to see if He is always true to His word or does He have strings attached to manipulate us. If I am bad, will God still be good or will He become angry at me and show what the devil would have us to think are “His true colors”. Does God bless me because it is His nature to be good or is it just manipulation to get me to do what He wants me to do? Should I devise different scenarios to test Him to see if there are any hidden agendas on His part other than just being God? The devil put Jesus in a precarious situation and encouraged him to put his life in harms’ way to test if God would be true to His word to preserve him. Thirdly, there is the temptation to possess the riches and prestige the world has to offer in exchange for loyalty and submission to the devil’s lordship. The historical records of great societies indicate that the people who lived in them had the propensity to seek after luxury and fame within those societies. Absent true spiritual leanings, people seek to be as high on the social ladder as possible. Many have lived in open shame, without pride, and without any thought for the future just to experience a brief moment of what society deems success. For many, no price is too great to pay in exchange for their moment in the spotlight. They will abuse their bodies, disown their families, destroy their own children, and utterly destroy others to have it. Worst of all, they will turn their backs on the God who created them in exchange for temporary glory or fame. The pimp has a lot to offer the one who would be his prostitute. The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their majesty. He then offered to give them to Jesus in exchange for his worship. We can give thanks to God that Jesus did not give in to any of the temptations. Jesus showed us that it is possible to resist temptation and he also showed us how to do it. Robert C. Hudson April 28, 2014

The Third Day

April 20, 2014 Background Scripture: Hosea 6:1 – 3; Luke 24:1 – 12 Lesson Passage: Hosea 6:1 – 3; Luke 24:1 – 12 In our lesson today, we are reviewing the phenomenon that occurred Easter Sunday morning after Jesus’ crucifixion. The events presented by Luke in this text flow like the unfolding of a “whodunit” mystery. First we have a group of women who were part of the Christ following crowd during the years of his ministry. Out of respect for the Law, they observed the Sabbath from sundown Friday until early Sunday morning. Out of respect for their great Teacher and Miracle Worker, they went early in the morning, Sunday, to finish what time did not allow on Friday—that is the burial anointing of Jesus’ body. Jesus’ followers clearly expected his body to be in the grave Sunday morning. So sure were they that Jesus’ body would be there, that they carried the spices they had prepared to anoint it. When they arrived, they found the cave was opened and they saw that there was no body inside of it. In their confusion, they were surprised by the presence of two men in shining apparel. These men stated that Jesus had risen from the dead even as he had informed his followers he would prior to his death. These women recalled Jesus’ words upon being reminded. So the women left the cave and returned to the rest of the group and informed them as to what they had experienced. Their words fell on deaf ears as the apostles found them difficult to believe. Their message was too surreal to be plausible. Peter went to the cave to examine it for himself. Peter went into the cave and found the linen cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus prior to his internment in the cave but the body was not there. Peter left the cave still confused about the matter. These are details of one of the greatest mysteries the world has ever known. Nothing Jesus did for the three years they had known him could compare to this. It was evident before that God was with Jesus and the miracles were the proof. While he lived, Jesus was invincible. Even the wind and the waves obeyed his voice. There was no sickness or disease beyond his healing ability. Even those born with infirmities were healed by this miracle worker named Jesus. He even raised Lazarus from the dead after his body had begun to decay and stink. But did not all of that end on Friday when he was brutally beaten and died? His followers had seen his body hanging there in shame for all to witness. The religious leaders had ridiculed him even in that state. The Gentiles had shown no mercy in their ill treatment of him. The Centurion soldier had verified he was dead and even split his side open with a spear just to be sure. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had removed his limp body from the bloody cross—that emblem of torture and shame. They hastily wrapped it in a linen cloth and interned it in the cave Joseph had dug for his own use. The Roman soldiers had sealed the cave with a large stone and posted watchmen to ensure that no one would take his body and give his followers a sense of hope. But now, nothing added up. The body of Jesus was missing and the linen cloth was still there. As word spread that third day, the Jewish authorities accused Jesus’ followers of a crime they were confused about. Today we can thank God that there is no mystery as to what really happened to the body of Jesus. And there will be much discussion concerning it on Easter Sunday. But for now, we get to experience the tension, confusion, and fear that must have gripped the hearts of Jesus’ followers on that third day. Robert C. Hudson April 14, 2014

A Messianic Priest-King

April 13, 2014 Background Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Zechariah 6:9 – 15; John 19:1 – 5; Hebrews 7:13 Lesson Passage: Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Zechariah 6:9 – 15; John 19:1 – 5 The title of our lesson this week depicts a single person who fills three distinct roles. First and foremost, the person would be the Messiah or Anointed One of God. Secondly, the person would be the eternal Priest who would forever intercede for the people of God. This eternal priesthood would not be after the order of the Levites since the Levitical order was built around a succession due to the limited lifespan of the Levites. This priesthood would be after the order of Melchizedek—that is, unending. Then thirdly the person would be the eternal King over God’s kingdom. Previous to the gospel message, the three distinct roles were not anticipated as being filled by one person. In fact, the general expectation was that the Messiah would be an earthly deliverer to save the sovereign nation of Israel from her earthly enemies. The prophecy pointed to David’s lineage as heir to the throne of Israel forever. All of this had to also line up with Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering servant. Within hours before his death on Calvary, Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews as a man who had been beaten and mocked. Perhaps Pilate hoped that seeing him that way would satisfy the Jewish leaders’ obvious contempt for Jesus. It was not enough. They would not be satisfied until Jesus was literally put to death and out of their midst. After the Jewish leaders refused to go along with Pilate’s scheme, Pilate questioned Jesus further. Afterwards, Pilate presented him again to the Jewish leaders but this time he was presented as their King. The Jewish crowd became more furious towards Pilate and demanded that he finish the job of crucifying Jesus. The image of a beaten and mocked Jesus was beyond their expectations of the true Messiah. If Jesus is the one to deliver them from the persecution of the Roman Empire, then surely he should be able to overcome one regional ruler such as Pilate. If he is truly all-powerful, then he could prove it by avoiding the crucifixion or coming off the cross to destroy his tormentors. The Jewish leaders continued their mockery by saying, He saved others; himself he cannot save. This was the proof the Jewish leaders sought that showed that Jesus was not the Messiah as he had apparently led many to believe. Their proof was based on their erroneous understanding of the Messiah. Little did they know that the crucifixion was all part of the divine plan; in between the advent of the Messiah and the establishment of the earthly kingship there was the need for the preparation of the priest. The priest would suffer all things so he would be made the perfect priest. God had created man in His image and after His likeness so that man could become as God is. Because man was disobedient and sinned, man fell from grace. To rescue man from destruction, God would now create Himself in the image and likeness of man and become as man. He would bear man’s destruction and thus save man and redeem him back to Himself. Man’s salvation required a Messiah. Man’s relationship with God required a Priest. Man’s need for leadership required a King. God gave man all of that through a Messianic Priest-King. Robert C. Hudson March 26, 2013