How often when we ride do we take a moment to really look at
what`s around us? Do you sightsee? Do you take the time to “smell the roses” on
your rides? Or, do you haul butt down the road “lookin all cool” and thinking
everyone is watching you—when in reality they are thinking about themselves,
not you. How do I know this? I know these things, because I have done them myself.
Now, let`s parallel that thought with how we study Gods word.
My pastor gave a great message yesterday. We hosted a biker
Sunday at our church and had over 60 bikes show up. The sanctuary was standing
room only. It was an exciting morning, and a great service. The Pastor hit on
something that I wanted to expound on in a short post. He was speaking about
how we often read quickly over certain passages of scripture without thinking
about the realities—the depth—of the actual experience being explained to us in
God`s word. For example, in Genesis 3:21 the Bible says, “The Lord God made
garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them” (NASB). This seems
like a simple statement, something we would normally glance over and keep
moving; however, if we spend a few moments imagining what it may have been
like, it can be the difference between a modest understanding of the word, and
true wisdom and understanding.
To put this verse in context, this is shortly after the “fall”
when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. They were naked and ashamed; they
had become aware of their nakedness. God loved them so much—even in their sin—that
he made them tunics of animal skin. How did God get these skins? Did God kill
the animal or animals right there in front of Adam and Eve? Remember, Adam and
Eve had never seen death in the Garden of Eden—they had never seen the shedding
of blood! If we begin to imagine the depth of this simple passage—WOW—what a difference
this word can make to us. Imagine the deep fear, regret, and pain Adam and Eve experienced
as at that moment, their lives were forever changed
This brings me to my main point: As I read about the
temptations of Jesus as he embarked on his ministry (shortly after his baptism
and receiving the Holy Spirit), he was in the desert for 40 days of fasting.
The Bible tells us a short and almost plain—non-descriptive—tale of his temptations
by Satan in Mathew chapter 4. First, I notice that it says in verse two that
Jesus, after 40 days, became hungry. Now, just take that simple phrase and
imagine it for just a moment, expound on it as it may have happened in reality.
When did Satan begin his temptation of Jesus? It says nothing of Jesus being
tempted during his fast, but after…when he became hungry…when his FLESH became
hungry.
Satan sees what he believed to be his opportunity to—in a nano-second—change
the destiny of all mankind through a very simple thing—hunger and ego. He says to Jesus in Mathew 4:3, “If you are
the son of God, command that these stones become bread.” I ask you my friends,
what is it that you would have done? I can see myself sitting there thinking, “Well,
I am hungry…I have, after all, fasted for 40 days. My Father in Heaven knows
I`m hungry. He gave me these powers, surely he wouldn`t mind if I make some
bread real quick” I can totally see Satan sitting there salivating at the
thought of a simple egotistical move destroying Gods plan of salvation,
however, Jesus was prepared because he knew Gods word. Jesus knew the Father so
well, he knew Gods word so well, that he knew he could not allow Satan to put
one single though in his mind. Jesus answered Satan from Deuteronomy 8:3, in
part. Jesus said to Satan, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’” (NASB).
Can you put yourself there? Can you sit and imagine the
entire scenario? How long did this conversation last? Maybe Jesus was so hungry
that all day long Satan followed him continually saying, “Eat…make some bread…you
know you`re hungry.” As a former addict, I remember how my addictions would
follow me—they would haunt me all day long, every second, until I relented and gave
in. Jesus, as we must learn to do, used Gods word—and why?—because he knew Gods
word, it was in his heart and mind. Jesus knew the Father could help him break
every chain. Jesus can help you and I break every chain. WP
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