December 29th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Perplexing Puzzles

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Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your life-renewing peace. May I walk in peace with You today.

Read Matthew 3:13-4:11

[13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. [14] But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” [15] Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. [16] As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [1] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” [4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” [5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. [6] “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” [7] Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” [8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. [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.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“For we…have a high priest…who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

Think Further

John recognized Jesus as the greater and was perplexed by Jesus’ desire for a baptism which was so much less than the one, in the Spirit, which he would instigate. Jesus replied that it was the right thing for both of them, the righteous way. The meaning is then made clear by what follows. As Jesus identified with a baptism of repentance for sin he identified with us: in effect he made confession on our behalf. At that moment the Spirit of God descended and the Father spoke of his love for his Son, and his pleasure in the choice he had made. At the very start of Jesus’ ministry we are taken to the heart of atonement and the love within the triune God. In the future, Christians would be “baptized into his death … buried with him through baptism” (Rom. 6:3,4). As a consequence, we receive the Spirit and are assured of the Father’s love. John preached about a new Israel. Jesus would bring it about through his cross and resurrection.

There is a second puzzle in this passage. The gift of the Spirit and the assurance of the Father’s love lead not to a happy life, but to testing in the wilderness. Each temptation receives a response from Moses’ address to Israel at the close of their time in the wilderness (Deut. 6-8). This passage includes these words: “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you” (Deut. 8:5). Israel rebelled in the wilderness and was unfaithful to its redeemer. Jesus was tested and remained completely faithful to his Father. The new exodus would come through his death and obedience. Both a new beginning with God and a life following God are cross-shaped.

Apply

Is the Lord calling you to a special and specific task? Consider the response of Jesus and pray about your situation.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, You heard a voice at Your baptism calling You to Your life’s mission. I wait for Your call and Your power to carry out mine.

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