For This Cause
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In the Wilderness of Judea
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness of Judea. Here for 40 days
and nights he meditated and was instructed of God as to the full scope of his ministry.
After 40 days, worn and weary, he hungered. Then Satan came to him to tempt him. He
suggested that Jesus command these stones to become bread. In reply, Jesus quoted from
Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
Next, Jesus was transported in vision to the Temple area in Jerusalem. Satan caused him
to look from the highest point of the Temple mount, called the pinnacle, into the Kidron
Valley below. He urged Jesus to cast himself down, for surely the angels who had charge
over him would save him. Jesus refused Satan’s proposal… “It is written, Thou shalt
not tempt the Lord they God.” (Matthew 4:7)
In his cunning, Satan then took Jesus to an exceeding high mountain. He showed Jesus
all the kingdoms of this world and their glory. He offered them to Jesus right then, if he
would bow down and worship him. But Jesus again wielded the sword of the
Spirit…“Get thee behind me Satan…for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord
they God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10)
So Satan departed having found Jesus unmovable. Jesus left the wilderness and came to
Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
Jesus Begins his Ministry
Along the way, Jesus called his disciples to come and follow him. “If any man will
follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me .” (Matthew
16:24)
Follow me…deny himself…take up his cross daily. What did this mean? What does it
mean for you and me? Jesus here introduced the meaning of being a true Christian.
It is a consecrated life of doing God’s will instead of our own in everything…a life of
sacrifice, a denying of self in the interest of others. It is not an easy task, but nevertheless
it is filled with blessings! This is the task to which Jesus called his disciples, when he
said, “follow me.”