Sunday 18th January
Read Matthew 4:8-11
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’
10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”’
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (NIVUK)
The allure of unearned comfort. The freedom of an undemanding master. Forgetting the source of all grace. These are the truest tests of faith. The context of the passage from which Jesus quotes are riven through with these challenges (cf Deuteronomy 6).
These tests reveal where our allegiance lies. They are impossible to pass in our own strength. How does one actually ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ (Deuteronomy 6:5)? Remember that Moses is giving these commands and warnings to a people who have seen the failure of their parents.
The standard has not changed. But nor have the people.
Only One has passed this test and will continue to pass this test. Hope is found only by trusting in Him.
