This chapter is so full of reflective points so let’s get into it. We ended chapter three with Jesus being baptized and the Spirit of God descending upon Him. Chapter four verse one tells us that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights while in the wilderness. {Sidenote: Fasting is a Biblical practice. So just as Jesus fasted, we should fast as well. One of the main reasons for fasting is to bring your flesh into submission to the Spirit of God that dwells within you. Think of it this way, whatever you feed the most will live the most.} At some point during that 40 days and 40 nights time frame, the devil came to Jesus to fulfill his assignment…to tempt Jesus.
I want you to imagine how Jesus felt physically and mentally after fasting for that length of time while living in the harsh conditions of the wilderness. Then here comes the tempter. The devil knew Jesus’s environment as well as the fact that Jesus had been fasting. He attempted to use the Word of God against Jesus during the tempting, but Jesus fought back with the Word of God. Eventually, the devil was defeated and fled from Jesus. Friend, at your weakest moment, the tempter is going to seek you out with the assignment to kill, steal, or destroy. He knows details about you, your past, your conditions, your shortcomings, your family history, etc. He knows your weaknesses as well. This is why it is important for you to study your Bible and know the Word of God. You must be able to use His words against the devil. And since you know the devil used the Word of God while tempting Jesus, you also know that reciting the Word of God does not equate to possessing the Spirit of God or having a relationship with God. So do not be deceived by those who quote the Bible but do not live it.
After the devil fled, Jesus began to preach and heal the sick publicly. His message was simple, “Repent of your sins and turn to God”. His message remains simple even in today’s times. We should shrive to live a life that is turned away from the world and to God. This takes you making a decision every single day and even multiple times a day. This takes a true relationship with God not just a Sunday service type of relationship. This takes a loving your neighbor after they’ve wronged you type of decision. Yeah, this takes not only knowing Him but possessing His Spirit.
As this chapter unfolds, Jesus began to select His disciples. Two fishermen and brothers, Simon (also known as Peter) and Andrew, were the first two disciples. James and John were the next two. Verses 21 and 22 refer to James and John; they stood out to me so let’s talk about them. These two were sitting in a boat with their father repairing their nets as they were fishermen as well. When Jesus called them to come, they immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind. These men did not ask Jesus where they were going, what they needed in order to follow Him, could they bring anyone with them, how long they would be gone, etc. The scriptures do not even mention that they knew who Jesus was. They blindly left everything and everyone behind to follow Him. That is the example of how we should be as well: immediately obedient without any questions asked and willing to forsake it all for Him. What are you willing to leave behind for the sake of following Jesus?
To wrap this chapter up, we read that Jesus continues to preach and heal the sick while traveling from place to place. By this time, large crowds of people are following Him everywhere He goes. Questions, is the Light of Jesus shining so bright through you that people desire to follow you to Him?
Real Talk with Keve 