Read today:
Pages 32-34 - The Way-40
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Suspending the Laws of Physics
“Then the devil took him
into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If
you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put
his angels in charge of you.’ and,
into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If
you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put
his angels in charge of you.’ and,
‘On their hands they
will bear you up,
will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a
stone.’’
stone.’’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again,
it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’’” (Matthew 4:5-7)
it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’’” (Matthew 4:5-7)
I love to be daring-not
too daring, but just a bit. I like to ski, fast. I enjoy riding my motorcycle
with the wind at my face and the pavement under my feet. I like to bike in the
mountains, getting fairly close to the edge.
too daring, but just a bit. I like to ski, fast. I enjoy riding my motorcycle
with the wind at my face and the pavement under my feet. I like to bike in the
mountains, getting fairly close to the edge.
I enjoy taking mission
trips to developing nations, hiking alone with a backpack across Israel, and
traveling to retrace Moses’ life even as Egypt is experiencing turmoil.
trips to developing nations, hiking alone with a backpack across Israel, and
traveling to retrace Moses’ life even as Egypt is experiencing turmoil.
These things all come
with risks. I try to calculate those risks and minimize them by, for example,
wearing a helmet when riding my motorcycle or avoiding trips to locations that
are too dangerous. But I’m also aware that there is some element of risk in
almost everything we do. It’s impossible to avoid completely. Every time I get
in my car to drive, there is risk involved.
with risks. I try to calculate those risks and minimize them by, for example,
wearing a helmet when riding my motorcycle or avoiding trips to locations that
are too dangerous. But I’m also aware that there is some element of risk in
almost everything we do. It’s impossible to avoid completely. Every time I get
in my car to drive, there is risk involved.
Do I believe that
because I am a Christian, a pastor, a tither or because I carry a Bible in my
back pocket every day, nothing bad will happen to me? No. Bad things happen to
Christians, to pastors, and to tithers.
because I am a Christian, a pastor, a tither or because I carry a Bible in my
back pocket every day, nothing bad will happen to me? No. Bad things happen to
Christians, to pastors, and to tithers.
I knew a man who died
while showing off driving his very fast car. His friends were angry, wanting to
know how God could have let it happen. The man was in the prime of life, was
the father of two children, and he was a follower of Jesus. But the laws of
physics still applied.
while showing off driving his very fast car. His friends were angry, wanting to
know how God could have let it happen. The man was in the prime of life, was
the father of two children, and he was a follower of Jesus. But the laws of
physics still applied.
This is part of what I
think the devil meant when he suggested that Jesus jump from the pinnacle of
the Temple. The devil even quoted one of the beautiful Psalms of promise: “Jump,
Jesus, for the Scripture says he protects those he loves, and he’ll protect you”
(Matthew 4:6). In jumping, Jesus could prove to Himself, and to all in the
Temple courts, that he really was the Son of God. But Jesus responded, “ It is
also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” In other words, even
Jesus was not expecting God to suspend the laws of physics if he jumped.
think the devil meant when he suggested that Jesus jump from the pinnacle of
the Temple. The devil even quoted one of the beautiful Psalms of promise: “Jump,
Jesus, for the Scripture says he protects those he loves, and he’ll protect you”
(Matthew 4:6). In jumping, Jesus could prove to Himself, and to all in the
Temple courts, that he really was the Son of God. But Jesus responded, “ It is
also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” In other words, even
Jesus was not expecting God to suspend the laws of physics if he jumped.
Prayer: Jesus, at times I have been confused by the tragedies
that happen in our world. I want you to suspend the laws of nature and protect
those I love, and yet I see that even You did not expect this from the Father.
Help me to live wisely, and to trust that in living and dying I will belong to
You. Amen.
that happen in our world. I want you to suspend the laws of nature and protect
those I love, and yet I see that even You did not expect this from the Father.
Help me to live wisely, and to trust that in living and dying I will belong to
You. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment