My Favorite Verses - Vol IV (Nov 16 to Feb 17)
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and often least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
A collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved
(and often least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Luke 4:12 … Putting God <strong>to</strong> the Test<br />
(12/03/20<strong>16</strong>)<br />
“Do not put the Lord your God <strong>to</strong> the test.”<br />
~ Jesus (Luke 4:12)<br />
This verse <strong>to</strong>o contains much more Meaning than originally meets the mind<br />
… Initially, it is important <strong>to</strong> realize the implications of this verse’s direct ties <strong>to</strong><br />
Matthew 4:1-10, the portion of the Gospels where Jesus three times resisted the<br />
three great temptations of Satan – sustenance, power, and immortality. And<br />
while Luke 4:12 only references Jesus’ response of resistance <strong>to</strong> the third<br />
temptation (immortality), the implications of his rejection are far greater than one<br />
would first assume. For unbeknownst <strong>to</strong> many, one of the only times (if not the<br />
only time) that the term “Son of Man” was used <strong>to</strong> reference the sole Davidian<br />
Messiah (as opposed <strong>to</strong> merely referring <strong>to</strong> all of humanity – like it does in Matthew<br />
8:20, Matthew 9:6, Matthew 11:19, Matthew <strong>16</strong>:28, Matthew 20:28 & Matthew 24:27<br />
et al) is in Daniel 7:13-14, where that Messiah openly receives the very same<br />
temptation-rewards that Jesus rejects here in Luke 4 (and in Matthew 4 as well) –<br />
meaning that this verse indirectly supports what Jesus himself directly states a<br />
number of times in the Gospels; namely, that he is not the Messiah at all; at least<br />
not any more than the rest of us could ever choose <strong>to</strong> be.<br />
Secondly, it is important <strong>to</strong> realize that it is impossible <strong>to</strong> put an all-Loving<br />
YHWH <strong>to</strong> any test – for the simple reason that an all-Loving heavenly Father<br />
cannot by His perfectly Loving nature<br />
ever take offense at anything we do or<br />
say, just as the ever fear-full and oftjealous<br />
Elohim are wont <strong>to</strong> react<br />
aggressively & indeed violently <strong>to</strong> even<br />
our smallest hints of betrayal …<br />
Thirdly, this verse essentially states<br />
that we are not <strong>to</strong> use personal prayers<br />
<strong>to</strong> satisfy our own desires, but are rather<br />
<strong>to</strong> pray either for the Highest Good of<br />
all <strong>to</strong> take place &/or <strong>to</strong> give thanks for<br />
our lives and the implicit ability we all<br />
have <strong>to</strong> serve Love & bring Peace<br />
therein no matter what happens <strong>to</strong> us or<br />
for us … And, fourthly & finally, Luke<br />
4:12 reminds us <strong>to</strong> regularly &<br />
repeatedly rescind all our selfish<br />
temptations and <strong>to</strong> replace them with<br />
virtuous acts of Generosity & Kindness.<br />
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