Summary:
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and he was hungry. (Jesus felt everything we feel. Maybe He fasted when He knew He'd be tempted, because He was preparing to totally lean on God through this trial.) The tempter told Him that if He was the Son of God, to turn the stones into bread. Jesus replied by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 - " 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
The devil took Him to the holy city, on the highest point of the temple. The devil said that if He was the Son of God, to throw Himself down because in Psalm 91:11, 12, it says, " 'He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " Jesus replied with Deuteronomy 6:16 - " 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "
The devil then took Him to a high mountain, showing Him all the world and its splendor. The devil offered it to Jesus, if He would bow down and worship him. Jesus replied by telling Satan to leave Him, and He quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 - " 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' " The devil left and the angels attended to Jesus. (God will help you through a trial and after a trial, when you are weak.) *see Luke 10:17-18.
Jesus Begins to Preach
Verses 12-17
John the Baptist had been imprisoned, so Jesus returned to Galilee. He moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, near the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. He fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 9:1,2 - "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtaili, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.' " From then on, Jesus preached, " 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.' " (Verse 17b)
The Calling of the First Disciples
Verses 18-22
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers, Simon (aka Peter) and Andrew. They were casting nets into a lake, as they were fishermen. Christ told them to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.
Jesus saw two other brothers, the sons of Zebedee, James and John. They were in a boat with their father, preparing their nets. Jesus called them and they immediately left their boat and father to follow Him.
Jesus Heals the Sick
Verses 23-25
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and preached the good news of the kingdom. He healed every disease and sickness among the people. The news of Him spread all over Syria. People brought to Him those in severe pain, the demon-possessed, those with seizures, paralytics, etc. Jesus healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region across the Jordan followed Him.
Lori's Thoughts:
The devil's lies -
1. Christ is not the Son of God. God did not become human.
2. Satisfy your desires by your own powers
3. Be reckless, because God has to rescue you.
4. He rules the world and will give you splendor if you worship him.
Truth -
1. "...Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:5b - 7)
2. "...Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." (I John 4:2b-3a)
3. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
4. "Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah." (Deuteronomy 6:16) *see Exodus 17:1-7
5. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8)
6. "...that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Revelation 12:9b) *see Genesis 3.
The devil knows scripture and will use it out of context to trick you. This is why it's important to know the Word and lean on God to protect you from the one that wants to harm you.
. . .
Jesus told us to give up our sinful ways, so that we can receive the kingdom of heaven. We cannot have both.
I used alcohol to block my depression and suicidal thoughts. I let it go and God gave me freedom from depression and replaced it with peace and joy.
I used sex to feel self-worth. I let it go and God taught me how to love myself by helping me become someone I admire.
I refuse to go back.
. . .
I bet Christ visited John in prison and comforted him. I bet He said, " '...whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.' " (Mark 8:35) In other words, because John the Baptist would die for Christ's sake, he would be given eternal life at the second coming.
. . .
Jesus became famous for His love. He spent time with people of "low" status. The church leaders only showed up to accuse or try to trick Jesus. Jesus healed bodies and spirits. He talked and listened. People from all over came to see Him and be healed by Him.
This is probably why the disciples immediately followed Christ when called. I doubt they would have done so for a stranger. However, it must have taken great faith for them to give up the familiar to follow Him.
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