“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28, NASB)
I have a confession to make about a temptation that I continue to give into time after time. Truly it is an ugly abuse of power, but I really do have a difficult time laying up when going for the green is an option.
I hope this does not affect the way you think about me as a man. This is not something I am proud of, and I want to apologize to all the playing partners I have ever left stranded on a hole with my ball in my pocket after making an ill-advised decision on the golf course.
Though I open in jest about a temptation golf presents me, I want to point out that temptation is usually an invitation to pursue self-interest. Nobody struggles with being tempted to selflessness and needs to work on thinking about their own interests more often. This is not a normal human condition, and it is something we might overlook in the amazing character of Jesus. It’s easy to forget that Jesus was fully human. He dealt with the same temptations we do. This is what makes the series of temptations by the devil in the wilderness between Jesus’ baptism and starting his ministry so important to understanding the Kingdom of God, the theme of his entire ministry.
You can first find this account in Matthew 4:1-11 where Jesus denied three significant temptations that you and I rarely turn down. First, while fasting and very hungry, Jesus turned down the temptation to abuse his power to create some bread that would satisfy his appetite. Next, Jesus was tempted to take advantage of his position and favor where he could obligate God to protect him. Finally, Jesus refused the ultimate temptation to have all the wealth and influence of the entire earth. It is possible you never gave this story much thought because you think, Of course he would never give in to the devil for these things! I wouldn’t either.
Before you come to that conclusion so quickly, let me ask you when the last time you turned down something that was rightfully yours? If you had a winning lottery ticket, would you not turn it in? If offered a promotion or raise at work, would you say, “I’ll pass.” After all, who doesn’t take the most they can for themselves? Who doesn’t take what they are entitled to? Who doesn’t fix a problem in front of them when they have the ability to do so?
The answer is the ultimate king, the King of kings. A king who would sacrifice himself for his subjects does not jump at every right, because the Kingdom of God operates differently than the kingdoms of this world.
Jesus gave up his divine privileges to live life as a man in order to introduce a brand-new system to the world, reveal the amazing love of God, and sacrifice his life for you. By overcoming the temptations that we are all so inclined to give into, Jesus set the stage for a ministry that would ultimately unveil this counter-cultural, upside-down kingdom. Jesus taught that power, wealth, and influence is not given for the benefit of the powerful, wealthy, and influential; rather, these things are entrusted to us for the benefit of others. He said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me… whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).
Jesus declined the temptation to prosper for himself because he knew the Father had a better plan. God also has a tremendous plan for you in his kingdom, and it is to use the power, wealth, and influence he has given you to benefit others. In that, we follow after our incomparable king.
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Josh Nelson
February 19, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.