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Mark 1:12-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-15; John 1:19-2:25<\/strong><\/span> Three days ago, we began the New Testament! I\u2019ll highlight each of the 4 Gospels overviews these first 4 days, with John today. One thing I\u2019ll recommend to everyone, if you have a chance this next week, is to watch the movie \u201cThe Gospel of John\u201d. Have you seen it? It is incredibly well done. It was released in theaters on a limited basis a few years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have caught it in the theater. It is a 3 hour movie that goes word-for-word through the Gospel of John, based on the Good News Bible translation. Or, perhaps you\u2019ll want to read the Biblical text first and then watch the movie later. Either way. I definitely recommend this film. You can hopefully pick it up at a video rental store. A friend of mine was surprised to have found it at the local supermarket little video rental section recently.\u00a0 And, actually, I have the first 10 minutes of the movie in the YouTube below today, and it looks like you can watch the entire movie now on YouTube.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> The Gospel of John<\/strong> John:<\/strong> I absolutely love John chapter 1 verse 29 \u2013 \u201cThe next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, \u201cLook! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?<\/span> Verses 45 & 46 I find so truthful, along with Nathanael\u2019s reply being amusing \u2013 but mostly Nathanael\u2019s reply demonstrates how very humble of a background Jesus came from \u2013 \u201cPhilip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, \u201cWe have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.\u201d \u201cNazareth!\u201d exclaimed Nathanael. \u201cCan anything good come from there?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Are we ever like Nathanael \u2013 having preconceived notions about places or things or maybe even Jesus?\u00a0 Can we leave our preconceived notions about things behind us and move forward in the spirit of truth, particularly when it comes to Jesus and who He is?<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on John chapter 1 titled \u201cThe Witness of John\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and commentary titled \u201cThe First Disciples\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span> John chapter 2 verse 11 is of note \u2013 \u201cThis miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was Jesus\u2019 first display of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 It is interesting that John refers to Jesus\u2019 miracles as \u201csigns.\u201d\u00a0 Signs seems to indicate the significance of Jesus\u2019 actions, rather than the marvel.\u00a0 What do you think Jesus\u2019 miracles might have been \u201csigns\u201d of?\u00a0 Below is \u201cThe Marriage of Cana\u201d by the Florentine Italian painter Giusto de\u2019 Menabuoi from the year 1378, and this fresco is located in the baptistry of the Cathedral in Padua:<\/span><\/p>\n Tyndale\u2019s One Year Bible Companion has a very interesting commentary on John chapter 2 verse 14 \u2013 \u201cIn the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; and he saw money changers behind their counters.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Tyndale answered the question of why there were merchants & money changers in the temple as follows:\u00a0 \u201cThe temple tax had to be paid in local currency, so foreigners had to have their money changed.\u00a0 But the moneychangers would often charge exorbitant exchange rates.\u00a0 The people were also required to make sacrifices for sins.\u00a0 Because of the long journey, many could not bring their own animals.\u00a0 The price of sacrificial animals was much higher in the temple than elsewhere.\u201d\u00a0 It is understandable why Jesus was upset with all of this.\u00a0 Thank goodness we do not have this system still in place for us today \u2013 with moneychangers & merchants for tax & animal sacrifices\u2026\u00a0 thank you Jesus!\u00a0 Below is a fresco of \u201cThe Money-Changers in the Temple\u201d by the Italian artist Giotto from the year 1306:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on John chapter 2 titled \u201cThe First Sign: Jesus Turns Water into Wine\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and commentary titled \u201cThe Cleansing of the Temple\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Matthew:<\/strong>Now \u2013 I think what happens just after Jesus\u2019 baptism in yesterday\u2019s readings is something each of us should take heed of \u2013 the devil comes in full force after Jesus.\u00a0 I heard someone tell me just before I was baptized about 6 years ago that whenever we make a public declaration that we love God: the Father, Jesus the Son, & the Holy Spirit and that we want to follow Him, the devil and temptation very likely will appear.\u00a0 The devil isn\u2019t happy when we are moving forward in our love of Jesus and loving others \u2013 and he wants to derail it.\u00a0 \u00a0And that\u2019s what we see here in Matthew chapter 4 \u2013 God: the Father, Jesus the Son, & the Holy Spirit have just declared \u201cGame On!\u201d with Jesus\u2019 public ministry via the baptism \u2013 and then who should show up coming after Jesus?\u00a0 If the devil showed up to tempt Jesus, don\u2019t you think he might try to show up in our lives when we are starting something big in our faith walk?\u00a0 Fortunately, Jesus gives us all the answers we need in chapter 4 to thwart the devil\u2019s attacks.<\/span> Chapter 4 verse 4 I believe is one of the most important verses for us to commit to memory in all of the Bible: \u201cBut Jesus told him, \u201cNo! The Scriptures say, `People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.\u2019\u201d <\/em>(NLT).\u00a0 Or, you might recognize this verse a bit better in NIV format: \u201cJesus answered, \u201cIt is written: \u2018Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is such a powerful spiritual truth that Jesus is conveying \u2013 we will not live full and true lives if we live simply on bread alone.\u00a0 We need spiritual nourishment \u2013 food \u2013 from every Word of God.\u00a0 Where do we get this Word of God?\u00a0 You got it \u2013 the Bible.\u00a0 And note that Jesus says \u201cevery\u201d word of God.\u00a0 This means the whole Bible is spiritual food for us.\u00a0 All of it.\u00a0 Not just the parts we like the best.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 We can learn something and be nourished by even the long genealogies!\u00a0 Seriously.\u00a0 \u00a0So \u2013 I want to applaud you for going through the One Year Bible \u2013 you will be getting nourishment from \u201cevery\u201d Word of God this year!\u00a0 Below is an oil painting by Juan De Flandes from 1504 \u2013 (he actually painted this piece for Queen Isabella of Spain\u2019s private altar at that time):<\/span> One other important point to make in Matthew 4:4 and the 2 other temptations in this chapter.\u00a0 We see the devil tempting Jesus with things that may look enticing to Jesus or to us.\u00a0 But they are lies.\u00a0 And note \u2013 this is important \u2013 how Jesus fends off the devil\u2019s temptations and lies \u2013 by quoting Scripture!\u00a0 Jesus knew Scripture (well, yes, technically He is Scripture\u2026:) The point is this. I do believe that we need to do more than just read the Bible.\u00a0 We need to memorize many portions of the Bible to protect us when the devil is attacking.\u00a0 If we have Scripture memorized, when we are tempted, we can quickly call to mind a verse or two that will bring us back into right state of mind \u2013 focusing back on God: the Father, Jesus the Son, & the Holy Spirit and their love and strength available through the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 If we don\u2019t have Scripture memorized, as Jesus clearly did in this chapter, we are at risk of falling prey to the deception and lies of the temptation.\u00a0 So \u2013 I am mostly preaching this to myself!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 But, I really want to do more memorization of Scripture this year.\u00a0 I have several verses down \u2013 but not enough.\u00a0 <\/span>Proverbs 3:5-6<\/span> certainly comes to mind for me often when I am worried or stressed and it transforms my state of mind immediately!\u00a0 What can you apply in your life today based on how Jesus rebuked the devil\u2019s temptations?<\/span> Very important to note is what happened when Jesus rebuked the devil\u2019s temptations with Scripture, the Word of God, in verse 11: \u201cThen the Devil went away.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Amen to that!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on our readings today in Matthew titled \u201cThe Baptism of Jesus\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, \u201cThe Temptation of Jesus, Part 1\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, \u201cSatan\u2019s \u201cLeap of Faith\u201d\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>, and \u201cThe Third Temptation of Jesus\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Luke:<\/strong> Today we read about the temptation of Jesus in Luke.\u00a0 This is a powerful narrative for each of us to consider.\u00a0 We all obviously face temptations in our life.\u00a0 Jesus faced temptations as well.\u00a0 The difference of course is that Jesus did not give into the temptations.\u00a0 He did not sin.\u00a0 I love the fact that Jesus combated the devil\u2019s temptations with the Word of God, the Bible.\u00a0 We each would do well to pay attention to how powerful the Word is in thwarting the devil\u2019s temptations of us today.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a very amazing image I found below, with a look at Jesus being tempted by the devil.\u00a0 Check out the cloud of temptation above him\u2026 the devil.\u00a0 Ever feel this cloud of temptation hovering above you?\u00a0 I know I have\u2026\u00a0 And I know that faith in Jesus, calling upon Jesus\u2019 name, and bringing to mind the Word of God in times of darkness & temptation can send this cloud away from us!<\/span> Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org has 4 great commentaries on the temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke <\/span>at this link<\/span>, and <\/span>at this link,<\/span> and <\/span>at this link<\/span>, and <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 And his look at verses 14 through 30 in Luke chapter 4 titled \u201cOn Prophets and Popularity\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:\u00a0 <\/strong>I mention the Gospel of John movie in my comments above.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the trailer, below:<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Author<\/span>: John
Place<\/span>: Ephesus
Date<\/span>: A.D. 85-96
Content:<\/span> The Gospel of John was written many years after Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection by the apostle John so that those who read it might believe in Christ and thus have life through his name. John begins with a prologue unique to this Gospel where Jesus\u2019 preexistent life with the Father is depicted to show that Jesus was not simply a great man, but God. Miracles of Jesus as well as many of Jesus\u2019 teachings not found elsewhere are then described. A long section in John chapters 14 through 17 describes Jesus\u2019 teaching to his apostles before his death. After Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection, special place is given to Jesus\u2019 appearance to his apostles.
Theme<\/span>: The Gospel of John more than any other Gospel stresses the deity of Christ and provides us with an interpretation of his life. He is explained in figurative terms as light, truth, love, good shepherd, the door, the resurrection and the life, living water, true bread, and more. The beautiful material found in John chapters 14 through 17 shows the deep love of Jesus for the believer and the peace that comes from faith in Christ. (Above commentary is from \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d pp. 22-23) Great commentary on John by Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org is at this link: <\/strong><\/span>https:\/\/bible.org\/page.php?page_id=2348<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n