Learning DAILY

 

Matthew 4:1, Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

 

Matthew 11:2-3, And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are you the coming One, or do we look for another?”

 

All of us are tempted – it seems to be an everyday thing.  Jesus was immediately sent to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil after John the Baptist had baptized Him.  But reread the second verses above.  This is the same John who declared Jesus to be the Messiah.  John is the same person that said Jesus was going to baptize with the Spirit.  This is the same John who said Jesus needed to baptize him.  And, this is the same John who was filled with the Spirit from the womb.  Now John is asking if Jesus is “the coming One, or do we look for another?”

 

The devil would have us to begin to doubt our salvation, our relationship with the Lord, just about everything.  If we begin to look around at what is happening around us and if we begin to concentrate on difficult circumstances we are facing, we take our eyes off of Jesus. Perhaps, John was looking around at his circumstances; he was in prison. Jesus had just finished speaking the words of what we know as the Sermon on the Mount.  Was John wondering why Jesus had not come to him?  Did he feel that Jesus was neglecting him?  Or did John send his disciples to Jesus because their faith was weak?

 

So, he sent his disciples to Jesus to confirm he was the Messiah, doubt had come, it seems.  With the words that had been spoken and the miracles performed, John was troubled.  I mentioned in the verses above the temptation of Jesus by the devil.  That same devil was trying to destroy John’s faith.

 

David Wilkerson has written, “Jesus knew that John was human, and no matter how powerfully anointed he was, he was still subject to all the feelings and passions that are common to man.  Christ knew John was in danger of being overwhelmed by doubt.  Jesus had been through the same testing Himself, during forty days in the wilderness, and he was able to tell John, “The devil is setting you up.  But you cannot entertain his lies.” (From a devotional by David Wilkerson)

 

Christian, I am telling you today that the devil hates you and wants to create doubt in your mind that you are saved and all this Jesus stuff is foolishness.  John 10:10 tells us the mission of the devil.  “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”  He wants you to be fearful for your life, your family, and your future. 

 

So what do you do when doubt and fear creep into your life?  It seems to me, we remember the words Jesus told John’s disciples to tell John.  Jesus answered John’s concerns with a report of the works being done.  In the verses following, Jesus said, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.”  Only the power of God could do these things.  When doubt comes, look to the miracle Jesus Christ brought you with the forgiveness of your sinfulness and that He no longer remembers because of the cross of Christ.  Remember the miracles you have seen in changed lives because of Christ.

 

You have the power because of Christ in your life to overcome doubt and any temptation that comes to you.  Your strength comes from the Holy Spirit who strengthens you.  Call upon His name and see what He does to help you overcome the temptations you face.

 

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