Take a ride in the word

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