John 6:14-15 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
People often seek a king: a ruler with special powers to miraculously take care of all their needs, bringing peace and prosperity to their land. Jesus came not to restore God's righteous reign by defeating Israel's enemies, not to rule over them with worldly authority and the consensus of the people. He came to reveal the Father, by serving and walking among the people, letting his light shine in a dark world. He ushered in the year of the Lord's favor: salvation came to Earth in human form. Christ lived to die that all might live eternally with God. He revealed the Father by touching lives and multiplying food to feed hungry crowds; yet his primary purpose was not to supply an abundance of food or to ensure believers would never sicken or die. He knew Lazarus would eventually die. Every generation before, during, and since Christ's earthly visitation has passed away, their bodies turning to dust. God sent not an earthly king. He sent his plan for victory over sin: resurrection life now and forever through Jesus Messiah, Lord of All! As Paul wrote: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:53-55 KJV)
Christians often confuse Christ's divine assignment to purchase our freedom. We want to believe He came to secure carefree days or perfect rest every night or enough money to meet our needs with leftovers for all our wants: a new car, a nice vacation, attractive clothes--our lists grow ever larger. Instead of believing scripture, we are surprised at the painful trial we suffer, as though something strange were happening to us. (1 Peter 4:12) As the media church has become more wealthy and prosperous over the last 20 to 30 years, some ministers and teachers have validated their expensive lifestyles: designer clothes, luxury automobiles, and lavish estates. Tele-evangelists openly boast of their material wealth, proclaiming since we are the King's Kids, God will likewise prosper all who give to their ministries. These "ministries" usually refuse to open their books to scrutiny; a number have been exposed as charlatans, preaching the false gospel of gain as godliness the Bible warns against. This ostentatious show of earthly wealth and excess in God's name must wound the Father's heart when He paid such a price that we might take up the cross and follow Jesus, when He asks us to serve as Christ served with no thought except doing God's will on Earth as it is in Heaven.
We should cast all our cares on him, knowing He cares for us as He cares about the sparrows and lilies. We should rejoice in daily answers to prayer and signs of God's abiding presence and loving kindness. But remember the birds of the air and the flowers in the field face sunshine and rain, raging storms and balmy weather. Yet they arise to grow and fly, prospering under God's care. Jesus brought us abundant life, joy unspeakable and full of glory. We give him everything in return. He gave us grace, peace, and mercy we could not merit or earn ourselves--the peaceable fruits of righteousness. As we accept his lordship and the Spirit's guidance, we come alive with an explosion of resurrection life as He changes us, empowers us, and makes us a mighty force for truth. With Christ in us and the cross before us, we do not turn back. Paul urged the church to walk in faith in all his writings. Words of hope and faith cause us to stand in the midst of all situations: in famine or in plenty, in the spring or the dead of winter. This is the mystery that we hold dear: Christ in us and we in him. Nothing matters more to God's people than to Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. People throughout the ages have fixed their eyes on Jesus and pursued him with a holy passion. This is our privilege and our responsibility by faith. Believe and Live!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
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