Luke 4:5-8 The devil led him up to a high place and showed Jesus in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And Satan said to Jesus, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
 
WE have many temptations, don’t we? Perhaps one of the most consistent is a desire to rule. Whether it be to rule over our own lives, in our family, on the playground, in a workplace, at church and other relationships, our first focus can often be, “How do I get what I want?”
    Satan is essentially attacking this element of Jesus’ humanity. Satan knows of mankind’s prideful intent to rule. He knew how Adam and Eve had been discontented with even the extraordinary authority God had given them to rule over the earth: Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  Somehow that wasn’t enough! They succumbed to the devil’s temptation. Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Of course, being “like God”, would enable them to rule as they desire, wouldn’t it? In their self-rule they could even eat from that forbidden tree. Sadly, their “I” focused minds subjected them only to sin’s slavery and death.
    Ruling equates with authority. Authority is control. Control is having things the way one wants them. Seeing the world through “I” narrows and darkens our vision of God’s rule over our lives. The “I” view leads us to negate God’s Word and elevate our desires.
    Jesus was tempted with the immediate rule of all the kingdoms of the world. But with his “I” fixed on the Father, Jesus kept his purpose in focus. Jesus’ worship of the Father remained steadfast to fulfill the Father’s written words, Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” This is the way of truth. Truth is the pathway to Jesus’ rule over your life to judge and to save.
    Keep your “I” on God. See your sin. See his eternal promises. See his love. See his Son. See the cross. See his salvation. See Jesus obey the Word of God. See the Father, Son and Spirit worthy of all your worship.
 
Prayer: Holy God in Heaven, keep me focused steadfastly and forever on you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 4:3-4 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"
 
BREAD – or food in general – is necessary for life, isn’t it? But we know there is more than physical life. Spiritual life is the essence of our relationship with God. Spiritual life is about our forever life. What do we consume to gain spiritual life? Certainly it is Jesus, who declared in John 6:35 “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
    Yes, we can see this from a New Testament perspective. Jesus is our Savior. By grace, we can consume his teachings for eternal spiritual life. But do you know that Jesus was quoting God’s law? Moses preaches this to the Jews in the desert, just prior to his death and the Jews’ entrance into the Promised Land. Moses reminded God’s people of their Lord’s provision for them in their 40 years of desert wanderings. Deuteronomy 8:3-4 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 
    Yes, bread came from God to feed his people. Imagine getting free bread every day for 40 years. Think of not needing new shoes or clothes in 40 years of wanderings! This is Gods provision. But then think of how this happened. It was the power of God to speak it and make it happen. Moses’ words and Jesus’ words affirm the need for physical bread. And they also affirm who provides the bread, clothes and shoes. The Lord was supernaturally at work for the Jews’ physical life as evidence he is also at work for your spiritual life. This is one reason Jesus healed. His power to heal was evidence of his power to forgive sins. (Matthew 9)
    Everything comes from God. When Satan tempted Jesus to turn the stones to bread, Jesu essentially responded with, “I trust the Father to provide all my needs. Just as he did for his people in 40 years of desert wanderings, he will provide for my needs from the 40 days of desert heat and thirst.” Jesus affirms that faith in God is the source of all life.
    Are you in need of God’s provision? Follow Jesus away from temptation. Consume the Bread of Life with all he life power he has to feed you.  
 
Prayer: Open my mind, Father, to know the power and provision of your Word. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
 

Luke 3:23-38 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
 
AS we mentioned two days ago, careful reading and study of the Bible is important to help us understand what we are reading. Understanding transfers to our doing God’s Word in our daily lives. Wisdom of God’s Word helps us, also, to defend its truth.
    This genealogy of Jesus’ human birth is different than Matthew 1:1-17. The difference does cause questions. Many Bible students have asked me, “Why the different genealogies?” Such a difference could be reason, too, for some to say, “See, the Bible contradicts itself. You can’t believe it.”
    The different lists of the generations is debated among many, but the simplest explanation in this space is that Matthew’s genealogy is the history of Joseph’s ancestors, beginning with Abraham and going to Jesus. And Luke’s list is considered to be directed in part to Mary’s family history. He works back from Jesus to Adam.
    In addition, Matthew’s purpose was to convince the Jews that Jesus is the Savior prophesied to Abraham. Luke’s purpose was to point to Jesus’ as Savior for all mankind as Adam represents all humanity.
    As Luke has detailed Jesus’ Heaven-sent birth in Luke 1-2, he now teaches us of Jesus’ human lineage to Adam. In Jesus’ Heaven and human origins, we can see how Jesus, fully God, became fully man in the way the Father had promised. The genealogies help us know the Bible has revealed God’s plan for mankind’s salvation from ages past. And thus, we can trust his saving promises for the ages to come.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father. Your Word reveals your plan to save us sinners into eternal glory. We praise you in Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 3:21b-22 And as Jesus was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
 
HERE is Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism to inaugurate Jesus’ ministry and the Kingdom of God on earth. His baptism is as much a part of Jesus’ redeeming ministry as is his teaching, healing, preaching, death, resurrection and ascension.  
     Jesus affirms that baptism is key to his role in Matthew’s account of his baptism. As John objected to baptizing the Lord, “Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.” (Matthew 3:15) The Bible declares from Genesis to Revelation that God’s Kingdom, which is his sovereign rule to judge and to save, is defined by his perfection – his righteousness. Look, for example in Genesis 6:9 “This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” Noah became God’s Kingdom representative to save the earth. Then see how the errant King Saul defined God’s anointed David: 1 Samuel 24:17 “You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.” And note well the description of God’s people in Revelation 19:8 “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.
    Jesus fulfilled all of God’s design for the Kingdom of God as his baptism signified the new birth in his resurrection to come. In one sense, John was correct. Jesus didn’t need to be baptized for repentance. But Jesus spoke, “It is proper for us to do this.” because his baptism would demonstrate the way of eternal repentance for those washed clean in Jesus’ blood.   
    Be so very thankful for the perfect Savior. The Son of God fulfilled all his Father commanded. His perfection makes your eternal perfection, your eternal righteousness, possible. One day, as the Holy Spirit has made you perfect in Jesus resurrection, you will wear the white linen of righteousness in Heaven.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being the righteous Leader, who modeled perfection in the way you lived here on earth. In your perfect name, Lord of Lords, I pray, amen.  

Luke 3:21a When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.
 
IF you have not read the gospels of Matthew and Mark, or if you have not been taught about Jesus’ baptism, you would not know from this passage that John baptized Jesus. In fact, based on what we’ve read in Luke 3 to this point, you could easily think John was in Herod’s jail. Then Luke writes that Jesus is baptized. Surprisingly, Luke does not recount that John baptized Jesus. Instead, the sequence of Luke 3 is designed to summarize John’s ministry, John’s persecution and Jesus’ baptism.
    I focus on this because this difference in the gospels teaches us about reading the Bible. Events are not necessarily recorded in a chronological order. The Bible’s inspired writers were informing their contemporary audience for a certain purpose. Remember, Luke is writing to Theophilus (Luke 1:1) to focus on Jesus, not on John. John is the Announcer. Jesus is the Messiah. Luke appropriately highlights the John-to-Jesus in Luke 1. Remember how he wrote of John’s conception and birth, and then he told of Jesus’ conception and birth. Luke then repeats the “John first” pattern as it related to John’s and Jesus’ ministries. John preaches and baptizes. When Jesus appears to preach, John is only mentioned again in Luke 7 just prior to his death.
    The apostle John explains John the Baptist’s ministry order in this way in John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.)
Do you see how you must study the Bible? Yes, it is easier to read a few verses each day and then say, “I read my Bible.” This is certainly a good thing to do. I then encourage you to add on to your reading with some good time of study. Study Bibles are numerous and of great benefit. To know the truth of God’s Word will lead you to more personally discover God’s impact on your life. Desire to grow in wisdom and understanding, so you can more truly know how God’s Word reveals God. As God becomes more clear and personal to you, you will be “rooted and established in love, (to) have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17b-19)
    Surely, this promise should motivate you to spend study time with the One who loves you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your Word. I pray I study it to know you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.  

Luke 3:19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
 
HOW appropriate this Scripture is this very day as it relates to persecution. Two items I’ve read just before opening to these verses awaken us to how Herod’s rejection of God’s righteous laws, grace and forgiveness is still very evident today. One item I read involves the persecution of Christians in Iran. Two men are sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for teaching God’s Word. A persecuted woman writes, “Almost every week they take me to a different building and put me into a dark room and announce that the day of my death is at hand. They say I should deny my faith or be killed.” This is the same as John’s plight, isn’t it? Herod sentenced the prophet to a darkened dungeon cell for telling Herod, “Obey God. You have sinned.”
    A second item I read involves satanists’ attacks on Child Evangelism Fellowship, a Christian club for school-aged children. The clubs often meet in public schools. These evil leaders are seeking to start satan clubs in schools in the same way the Child Evangelism Fellowship clubs are in schools. Their strategy is to cause an uproar among Christians, so they will ask the schools to prohibit these evil clubs from forming. The Satan-followers’ hope is that rules and laws will be passed to stop them. Then, of course, those same prohibitive rules would apply to any Christian clubs as well.
    Persecution is real. Long before John, God’s prophets were killed for their message. The realities of great physical, emotional and spiritual persecution have affected God’s people and Jesus’ church since sin entered Eden.
    Why is this? Why would the Lord allow and even direct that his own be so harmed? One answer is this: Persecution helps us see the wonder of our salvation. How is that? Let’s consider what happens, for example, when you’re really hungry. You truly appreciate any food. You get a glimpse of having no regular food to eat. You are extremely grateful you have food on your table. In turn, what happens when persecution shows you how bad sin is? You truly praise God he has saved you!
    Yes, as you confess Christ, you must be acutely aware of salvation’s life-transforming power. Only the Holy Spirit will unlock your sin and feed you the eternal Bread of Life. If you are so filled with God’s Word, be ever mindful God has given to you the unsurpassing gift of eternal life. In the fullness of your salvation against sin’s empty void, you can celebrate in joy and hope! You have fully received the Feast of Eternal Life in Jesus Christ.
    Stand firm in your wondrous life. Remember Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Persecution teaches us of sin’s deadly, eternal hunger as there is no appetite for God. Be acutely alert to how great is your God to welcome you to his table. Be steadfast to stand and offer Jesus, the Bread of Life, to even the greatest opposition.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for saving me sin’s eternal persecution. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.  
   

Luke 3:17-18 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.
 
THERE are times when the Bible at first glance doesn’t make sense. It fact, a passage can seem contradictory. This passage is one of those.
    Do you see what I mean? Look at verse 17. John the Baptist is preaching about the Lord God’s judgment on mankind. He depicts the Lord as a farmer who is on a threshing floor, separating the good wheat grain from the useless chaff of straw and leaves. When the wheat is safely stored, he burns the chaff. John is preaching God will send to the fire those who are useless to his Kingdom. Then Luke writes, “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” Where is the good news in John’s fiery illustration of judgment?
    You can see the good news when you look more at the wheat. Let’s fix our eyes on the good news that God separates his own from those who oppose him. Keep your mind on the good news that God has a means to keep you safely with him forever. Know the good news here is God’s plan: repent and be saved.
    As Luke records John using “many words” to exhort, to impress upon the crowd of their need to repent, he also tells us John was urging God’s people to be prepared for the Messiah, who was soon to step onto the stage. The good news is that God is holy and just. He does remove the evil. He surely does save his own. This is, indeed, much good news to urge people to know.  
 
Prayer: I am grateful, Father, for the way you have separated me from sin. Thank you for the good news of salvation in Jesus’ Christ. In his name I rejoice. Amen.