We're going to take a look at an event which occurred in the life of Jesus which has significant implications for all of us. Its application, as well as its admonitions, are deep and meaningful, beyond their mere face value. Immediately following His baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. What transpired was both inspiring and significant as it serves to give us not only a look into the mind of Jesus, but also the far-reaching power and influence of the devil. We will be reading from Matthew 4:1-11..."Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him,
It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
We will begin with verse 11, and take each verse, looking in detail at each one in order to draw out hidden truths which might otherwise go unnoticed. So, verse 11 begins..."Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." This event occurred immediately after the baptism of Jesus, and is also recorded in the books of Mark and Luke as well as Matthew. However, in their respective accounts, they both use the word "immediately" to express the fact that is was directly following His baptism. Note that, as long as Jesus lived privately, He was in relative obscurity. However, when He was baptized, and was declared to be the Son of God, His temptation was immediate. Such is the case with us. While we are in the world, living for ourselves, we will not be bothered by Satan, but when we step out for God, and stand up for His cause, we will immediately face temptations. Matthew Henry once said, "The enriched soul must double its guard." It is when one first sets out to do good, to do the will of God, that Satan will do all within his power to derail their progress.
Verse 2 tells us..."And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered." It is implied here that the sensation of hunger was suppressed during the extent of the forty days, just as with Moses in Exodus 34:28..."And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments." However, it seems as though the temptation, though not specifically detailed, was constant throughout the forty days, as we read in Luke 4:1-2..."And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered." While we are not told what the temptations entailed during the first phase, we know that they were not successful, or else there would be no need for the second phase of temptation. Whatever these temptations may have been, we know for a certainty that they must have included Satan's attempts to place doubt as to the validity of the Sonship of Jesus as well as his Sovereign Authority, because this is precisely where they pick up when the forty days come to an end.
With verse 3, Satan embarks upon the specific temptations..."And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Continuing in his attempts to cast doubt into the mind of Jesus as to the legitimacy of His being the Son of God, the devil tempts Jesus to exercise His power to ease His own suffering, His hunger. On the surface, this would not seem to be a grievous sin, but to yield to it would be to sin against God, as it would not only signify submission to Satan, but also uncertainty as to the provision of God. Subtle as the enticements of the devil may be, we must be ever vigilant in order to avoid his fiery darts. Another interesting aspect of this particular temptation is the fact that Satan did not tempt Jesus to pray to the Father that the stones be made bread, but rather, to use His own divine power to make it so. It was as if Satan were saying, "After all, the Father has abandoned you, has He not? Else, would you be here, in the wilderness, at the point of starvation? Why not use your power to supply your own needs?" The devil is never stronger than when he convinces us that we have been abandoned by God. However, our Savior could see beyond this ruse, and avoided the temptation, as we read in verse 4...
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Jesus answered the temptation with a scripture which Moses spoke to the children of Israel at the end of their forty years' wanderings in the desert, which we read in Deuteronomy 8:3..."And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." Now, in this, Jesus acknowledges the fact that, if the children of Israel were made to wander for forty years, and never suffered starvation, and God provided all their needs, how much more would He provide for His only begotten Son? As is, at times, man's lot to suffer, He would await Divine supply, knowing that it would arrive in due season.
Verses 5-6 bring Satan's next temptation..."Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Let us take note here of the cunning subtleties of the devil's tactics. Seeing that Jesus relies upon the word of God for His defense, Satan turns the tables, and attempts to use Scripture to tempt Jesus into a display of power. It is as if he were saying, "If you are indeed the Son of God, prove it here, before all of Jerusalem. Leap from the pinnacle of this temple, and let the angels come to your rescue!" However, the wisdom of Jesus sees right through this deceitful provocation, and His amazing humility would never allow for such a blatant misuse of God's protections. An interesting side note here, it is worth noticing that the devil compels Jesus to cast Himself down, he does not make any attempt to cast Jesus down himself, as he does not have physical power over our own will. We read in James 1:14..."...every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." Satan can only persuade, he cannot dictate. He can entice, but he cannot override our will. Again, in this instance, Jesus rebukes the devil with God's word once more, in verse 7...
"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Jesus acknowledges the devil's use of Scripture, misquoted as it was, and further uses the word to nullify Satan's argument. Notice that Jesus is not telling Satan here, "Therefore you shall not tempt me"; but rather, "I must not tempt my Father." For Jesus to cast Himself down from the temple would be to purposely create a situation which would require further proof from the Father as to His provision and protection, thereby tempting God.
With verses 8-9, Satan unleashes his final temptation..."Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." The devil abandons his feeble attempts to quote Scripture, as Jesus sees beyond his flawed logic. Of course, there would be no Scripture for Satan to quote which would back up this blasphemous deception. This is a blatant attempt to coerce the human side of Jesus to lust for power. Luke 4:5-7 explains it in a little greater detail..."And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine." Here, the devil throws off all pretention and shows his true colors. This is interesting, as it shows us that Satan used some type of supernatural power to display before Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, in the present as well as the future, along with all of their glory, in a moment of time. Further, it shows us that the glory and power of this world have been delivered to Satan, and that he has the capability to use it in any way that he chooses. He has the means to provide wealth and power to anyone who is willing to trade their soul for it. Jesus referred to Satan multiple times as "the prince of this world", because He fully understands not only our frailties, but also the power and influence which the devil has over mankind.
In verses 10-11, as Jesus answers Satan's final enticement, He provides us with a stirring example of boldness in the face of temptation..."Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." The devil's final temptation is met with righteous indignation, as the very thought of giving Satan the worship that is due only to God was an abomination to Jesus. Likewise, we must be bold in our defiance to the seductions of the devil; and we know that, since Satan cannot control us physically, our resistance is all that is required, and God will take care of the rest. We read in James 4:7-8..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." When we submit ourselves, our will, and our desires, to God, we draw nigh to Him. He will, in turn, draw nigh to us, and purify and cleanse us. The devil does not want to fight us, for he knows that he cannot defeat an unwavering and steadfast Christian. He will tempt us, but when we boldly resist, he will flee. He has plenty of other easy targets to prey upon; he does not want to waste his time on a resolved and single-minded follower of Jesus; and when we resist, he will leave us, and our strength and resolve will be renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus faced these temptations, and undoubtedly many more that are not revealed to us. He defeated Satan face to face during His life on earth, and He will defeat Him once and for all at the end of time. Jesus is our Victory, He is our Intercessor, and our ever present help in time of trouble. Finally, Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us..."Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
We're going to take a look at the concept of the "Armor of God", how it is to be implemented, and what benefits we obtain from it; in short, how does it apply to us today? We'll begin by reading Ephesians 6:10-17, as Paul closes out his letter to the church at Ephesus with a stirring call to action..."Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Beginning with verse 10, Paul urges the Ephesians, as well as all of us, to..."be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." First of all, we must understand that we are in a battle, a life or death struggle. We are truly at war, and our minds are the battlefield. The devil is constantly scheming to entrap us, to tear down our defenses. His only goal is to ensnare us, and to drag our souls down to hell with him. The Lord is our first, and only, line of defense. Without Him, we are without hope, and have no means of fortification, or tools with which to ward off the attacks of the devil. We are simply not equipped to defend ourselves against such an enemy unaided.
With verse 11, Paul explains what must be done in order to protect oneself from Satan..."Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." We must make use of all of the proper defenses and weapons provided by God if we are to repel the offensive of Satan, or, as Paul calls it here, the "wiles of the devil." This is an interesting choice of words, as the word "wile" is defined as "deceitfully cunning" or, "a trick meant to trap or entice". We've all heard the phrase "wile away the time", and this is defined as "to spend time in a leisurely or pleasurable fashion." Satan wants nothing more than to deceive us into wasting our time on our own pleasure, rather than devoting ourselves, and our time, to God. After all, this is all he really has to do in order to gain control over our souls. He does not have to persuade us to worship him, as he tried to convince Jesus in Matthew 4:8-10..."...the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." This example is very telling, as it serves to show us that the devil is very powerful indeed, and he has the capability of bestowing great wealth and power upon those who are willing to sacrifice their souls for it.
In verse 12, Paul explains further what exactly the "wiles of the devil" consist of..."For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
This tells us that our battle is not with mankind, but rather with very powerful enemies of great dominion and influence in this world, which are controlled by Satan. These consist of not only dark forces under the direct influence of the devil; they also consist of seemingly religious organizations whose underlying goal it is to lead the people of God astray.
Verse 13 lays out our responsibilities as Christian people in a dark world..."Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." It is our duty to cover ourselves in this armor, to encase ourselves within it, in order to stand against these wicked influences. We are to arm ourselves against these attacks, and strengthen our resolve to withstand evil, as we read in James 4:7..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
We come now to verse 14, as Paul begins to lay out in detail what each piece of the armor of God is..."Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." Of course, we all understand that Paul is not speaking of a physical suit of armor. He is using the analogy of armor in order to convey the protection which God provides us, and the ways in which it is manifested. With this in mind, we will take a look at each piece of "armor". The loins of a person are the abdomen, or the core, and this is where all of our strength flows from. Any physical activity which we undertake originates from our "core". If truth is at our "core", then all else will fall into place. If anything other than truth is at our core, we cannot be successful. It is as simple as that. The breastplate of a suit of armor covers all of the vital organs, and guards the heart, and therefore is extremely important in warfare. Our "breastplate" is the righteousness of Jesus, which is imputed to us, transferred by faith to believers through the sacrifice which Jesus made on our behalf. Without it, we would be totally vulnerable, and have no hope of success on the battlefield.
Paul continues in verse 15..."And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" In ancient times, soldiers wore brass coverings for their feet because one of the tactics employed against an approaching army was to place sharp sticks buried in shallow holes, called gall traps, which would pierce the foot, thereby incapacitating the soldiers. Because of this, the soldiers had to be prepared for such a threat. Likewise, we must be prepared for the hidden attacks of the devil. We must have our hearts in a prepared state, that is, resolved to follow Jesus. This will bring us peace on the inside, despite the raging war going on around us, as we read in Philippians 4:7..."...the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
With verse 16, Paul reveals our main fortification..."Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Faith is our principal line of defense. It is the shield which will thwart the attacks of the enemy. We read in 1 John 5:4..."For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." A strong foundation of faith is a buffer which the weapons of the enemy cannot penetrate. Paul uses the analogy of "fiery darts", which, in ancient times, were actual weapons employed in warfare. These would be arrows, made of cane, with combustible materials wrapped around the tip. They would be lit on fire and then shot at the intended target, and would be capable of penetrating tents, or wood, setting them on fire, thereby causing great damage. The temptations which Satan attempts to entice us with are very similar. When the devil bombards us, we must use our faith to ward off the onslaught. Otherwise, his assault will be much like a fiery dart, penetrating into our minds, and, as we read in James 3:6, setting them "on fire of hell". We must understand that Satan is called the prince of this world for a reason. He is very powerful, and if given the opportunity, he will take total control of our minds, our will, and ultimately, our very soul. He knows exactly what areas we are weakest in, what tempts us most, and how and when to use these temptations to lure us away from God.
Finally, in verse 17, our greatest defensive and offensive weapons are revealed..."And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." An interesting side note here is that, when we are told in this verse to "take the helmet", and the sword, this is a different Greek word from those used in earlier verses. Previously, in verses 13 and 16, we were told to "take the whole armour" and to "take the shield of faith", which are decided actions on our part. Here, however, in the original Greek, the word for "take" is "dexasthe", which is literally translated as "receive." So, we are to receive salvation, and let it cover us like a helmet, as we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10..."But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." Likewise, we are to receive the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. James 1:21 tells us..."Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." The word of God is our weapon against the wiles of the devil. Apart from it, we have no answer to the temptations hurled at us. Satan tells us, "you know that you want to do this, you know that it will make you feel good, you know that you are powerless to resist...", and the word of God is the weapon which we are to use to ward off these attacks. No greater example of this is to be found than that of Jesus battling Satan in the wilderness, as we read in Matthew chapter 4, as Jesus time and again wields the word with authority against the temptations of the devil, saying, ..."It is written." Furthermore, we read in Hebrews 4:12..."For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." So we see that the word of God is our sword, the means by which we overcome the barrage of Satan.
Let us have no misconceptions. The devil is a liar, a thief, and a murderer. He wants nothing more than to destroy God's people. Jesus tells us in John 8:44..."...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.", as well as in John 10:10..."The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:8..."Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." However, we must remember that we are not alone in this fight, and we have not been left defenseless. When we have truth as our core, and the righteousness of Jesus covering us, we are at peace with ourselves as well as the world around us; our faith is strengthened, as we receive salvation and meditate on His word. This is the way in which we defend ourselves against the wiles of the devil, and wield the full power of the whole armor of God, that we "may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
We're going to take a look at the 8th chapter of the book of Proverbs, which was written by Solomon. Although he was not considered to be one of the major prophets, many of his Proverbs, the 8th in particular, are very prophetic. Following the death of his father, King David, Solomon became king at a very young age, and he prayed to God for wisdom. God was pleased with Solomon because he had not asked for wealth or longevity, but rather for wisdom in leadership, and because of this, Solomon was granted riches and honor in addition to wisdom. God granted Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:12..."Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." This tells us that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, and as such, God chose to use Solomon's wisdom to reveal his redemptive plan to mankind. The 8th chapter of Proverbs is a glimpse of Jesus unlike any other. It is almost as if it were Jesus Himself speaking through Solomon. Jesus is wisdom, and so, as we read these verses, keep this in mind, and then we'll take a look at a few of the key verses in the chapter and how they reveal Jesus to us.
"Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then was I by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
Although the entire chapter is very evocative of Jesus, there are certain phrases, and verses, which solidify this. We begin with verse 17..."I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Those who seek for Jesus and love Him sincerely are beloved by Him. He tells us in John 15:9-12..."As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
Furthermore, we read in verse 20-21..."I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." The substance referred to here is not worldly wealth, but rather wisdom. Jesus is wisdom incarnate, for He is the Source of all wisdom, and to have the knowledge of Him is riches and treasure to the soul. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:2-3..."That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Verse 22 reads..."The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old." Here, the entire tone of the chapter changes, as we begin to see concrete affirmation that these are indeed the words of Jesus, perhaps simply recorded by Solomon, who was deemed worthy by virtue of the wisdom which God had endowed him with. Jesus is the eternal Word, as we read in John 1:1-2..."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." So, we can see that Jesus, being the wisdom of God, was with God from the beginning.
We read in verse 23..."I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." The phrase here "I was set up from everlasting" is, in the Hebrew, "nissakti meowlam", literally translated as "anointed from eternity", or set apart in the purpose of God from the beginning. Interestingly, this Hebrew verb "nissakti" also appears in Psalms 2:6-7, part of David's prophecy concerning Jesus..."Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." This tells us that God, from all eternity, anointed the Word, His Wisdom, Jesus, to be Lord and King over all of creation. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8..."...we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Jesus reveals to us in Revelation 22:13..."I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Further, in verse 30-31 we read..."Then was I by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men." Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, has coexisted with the Father and the Spirit for all of eternity, from before creation began; and He has an intimate connection with each of us personally, because it was by His own selfless sacrifice that salvation was made possible for us. His love for us is unfathomable; it transcends any love which we could ever know, or hope to imagine. We are His delight, as we read in 1 John 3:16..."Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us..." as well as in John 13:1..."...when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." Furthermore, we read in Hebrews 2:14..."Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Jesus tells us in John 15:13..."Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Finally, verses 32-36 are a summation of not only the chapter, but of the entire plan of salvation. We'll read these verses, one at a time, and then following each verse, we'll read words spoken directly by Jesus which parallel and correspond with each verse..."Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways." "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.""Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.""He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." "Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.""Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls.""But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.""For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
When we seek for Jesus, He can be found throughout the Old Testament, in the creation, in the words of the prophets, and in the miracles of God. It has been said that Jesus was "concealed" in the Old Testament, and "revealed" in the New Testament. As we continue to seek for Him, His love is manifested to us in new and different ways. May our love for Him grow deeper as we search Him out in the Scriptures, and develop a stronger relationship with Jesus, the embodiment of the Wisdom of God.
