Kent Crockett's Devotionals: July 2020

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Temptations of Jesus #2-Jumping Off Temples

The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and told Him to jump off. Satan quoted from Psalm 91:11-12 about God’s protection. “If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone’” (Matt. 4:5-6).

Satan tempted Jesus with Scripture—the very words of God! Who would have thought that God’s Word, taken out of context, could be used to tempt someone? The devil wanted Jesus to believe in the ability of God while ignoring the will of God.

Satan, who was a rebellious, unholy angel, tried to teach Jesus about the protective responsibilities of the holy angels! The Father didn’t tell Him to jump off, so if Jesus had jumped, He would have obeyed Satan and not God. Angels aren’t obligated to catch people who follow the devil’s instructions.

Many Jews believed the Messiah would be revealed by suddenly appearing in the temple. Malachi 3:1 says, “And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple.” If Jesus would jump off and float safely down, the crowd in the temple courts would see it and He would receive instant acceptance as the Messiah. It made sense. Quick. Impressive.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16, “It is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matt. 4:7). In other words, Psalm 91 cannot be used to force God to act against His will. You must not force one verse to contradict another verse.

I’ve seen people impulsively “jump off temples,” thinking they can make foolish decisions and God will always protect them. Man shall live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, not selected words taken out of context.

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Sunday, July 19, 2020

Temptations of Jesus #1-Turning Stones into Bread

Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days when He became hungry. The tempter said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matt. 4:3). The devil was trying to get Jesus to doubt who He was. The last thing He heard from His Father was at His baptism, when He spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son” (Matt. 3:17). Now the devil questioned His identity as the Son of God and challenged Him to prove it.

What tool could Satan use in the wilderness? He tempted Jesus with a rock. He probably pointed to a stone that looked exactly like a loaf of bread. When you’re hungry, even rocks start looking good. The devil can even make unappealing things look attractive when you’re weak.

Jesus could prove He was God’s Son by simply telling the rock, “Change!” and it would instantly turn into bread. No one would ever know, and He could fulfill His hunger drive. Jesus had the power to do it. He performed His first miracle by turning water into wine, so converting stones into bread would be easy.

Since His Father hadn’t given any “daily bread” for forty days, the devil tempted Him to provide for himself. He tempts people today in the same way, “Don’t wait for God to answer. Provide for yourself.” People do all kinds of things they shouldn’t be doing because they refuse to wait on God to provide.

Jesus told the devil, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4 NKJV). Don’t spend your life chasing bread alone, or anything else that fulfills your cravings. Live by every word that God has spoken.