Luke 4:4
The scripture for today is Luke 4:4
Luke 4:4 “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Satan confronted Jesus with his temptations when Jesus was in a physically weakened state from fasting forty days and nights. When tempted to demonstrate His divine powers by turning stones into bread to satisfy His hunger, Jesus chose rather to resist the temptation of the devil with the written word of God. Jesus rose above the attempt by Satan to have Him focus on His natural needs and make those needs the deciding force for His actions. Jesus, in essence, told the devil through scripture, that life does not come from that which feeds the flesh only, it comes from receiving everything that flows from God. By quoting a portion of Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus exposed the deception of Satan and affirmed that His steps are not ordered by the flesh or the devil, but by whatever God provides.
Satan misjudged the conviction of Christ. Because He had successfully overcome Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by appealing to their sense of independence and appetite, He was convinced that Jesus would fall prey to His schemes as well. But Jesus, the last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45), was not focused on Himself at all, He was focused on doing the will of His Father. As a man, He lived with a sure foundation of faith, and humble surrender to God’s will.
Where Adam failed Jesus succeeded; He became the example for us to follow. The pattern for life and living is provided for us through Him. As we follow His example and follow in His steps, the strategies of Satan against us will be just as ineffective as they were against Him. Hiding the word of God in our hearts enables us to live the word of God. And living the word of God is walking in the footsteps of Christ.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim