Day 3 – Matthew 3:1-17
About thirty years has passed from the time you read yesterday (in chapter 2) to what you read
today (in chapter 3). Now, you read about John the Baptist, a prophet, a man chosen by God for
a mission to set the stage and prepare people for Jesus. John the Baptist’s mission included a
message--“repent.” Repent is basically a fancy word which means, “to change one’s mind and act
on that change. To turn around. To turn from living the world’s way to living God’s way.”
Did you notice who came to hear John the Baptist’s message? Those who sincerely wanted to
confess their sins and change, as well as those who wanted to be part of the “in” crowd. The first
group experienced baptism and life-change while the others received a lecture and a slap to their
character.
Which group do you most identify with? Do you go to church because you need to hear a message
that will lead to life-change, or do you go because you want to be seen? When was the last time
you asked yourself this question, “Why do I really go to church?”
John the Baptist had a message of change. Jesus Christ is the way to bring about change. John the
Baptist said of Jesus, “he will change you from the inside out…”
What needs to be changed in your life? It’s never too late! Do you need to change your motive for
going to church? Is it your heart? Do your actions need change? You can’t make any significant
life-change without God’s help and power…that’s a big message in the Bible! That’s the goal of the
Christian journey . . . change. That’s the reason for this church! By the way, the beginning of the year
is a great time to make changes!
Day 4 – Matthew 4:1-11
As you take this daily walk with Christ you’ll discover that although Jesus was human, he was also
divine (meaning he was God). This is both difficult to figure out and exciting to comprehend.
As you just read, his human life wasn’t without temptation. He got the royal treatment from the King
of Liars. But, unlike Adam and Eve’s first encounter and temptation with Satan, Jesus won! Because
he won, we can also win over temptation if we use the same tools Jesus did. Notice Jesus didn’t
use his supernatural powers (although he could have—remember he was divine) but he used what
is available to us today. He used:
(a) The power of the Holy Spirit (verse 1), and
(b) God’s Word (“It is written”).
These are available to us today! If you are a Christian you have been given the Holy Spirit—God
within you. Ask for God’s help during times of temptation. He wants you to win. Also, as you read
God’s Word you will learn some promises from God that you can use to counteract temptation.
The more you grow in your faith, the more you will be tempted. If your life isn’t being lived for God,
you’re no threat to Satan’s work. But, when you put God first and walk his way you will threaten the
enemy and you can guarantee the door to temptation will fly open. Because Jesus defeated Satan,
he became a walking example to every human past, present, and future that He is the ultimate
conqueror. If that doesn’t get you excited you may be dead!
Matthew 3
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying,2 Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.3 For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
4 Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.5 Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan;6 and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.14 But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?15 But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.16 And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;17 and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 4
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered.3 And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.5 Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple,6 and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written,
7 Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.8 Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;9 and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.11 Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
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