Jesus’ actions were always significant. Everything He did bore worthy of being talked about or becoming angry about or worth writing about or questioning His actions.
Whatever He did, He was watched with a critical eye. When He made appearances, the people, the lawyers and the religious elite, the elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees were present to find fault or observing Him, attempting to catch Him in His own words and entrap Him.
His mission was to make more than an impact. He was to make surgical type incisions into history: to save the world from itself. Although, we know not everyone will be saved, but the invitation is out there.
His footsteps produced storms because He would cut through the old practices and usher in something new and unheard of. He was masterful in all His ways. He was “always ahead of the game” (so to speak). His timing was perfect, and He never wasted time.
His obedience was unsurpassable. His continuity was unstoppable, and His mission was uninterrupted. Isaiah 63:1 says, “He has come from conquering all and no nations were there to help Him.” He did it all by Himself. He was never caught up in shame or being ashamed of what the Father told him to do.
He tore down prejudice, ripped it to shreds. And when He did, the impact was noticeably resounding. But, today, that dictate is not heard.
Who is listening? Recall John the Baptist at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:9-11). What happened? “The heavens opened and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. You are my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased.” The voice from heaven spoke.
At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear him., the heavenly voice (the voice out of the cloud spoke when Elijah and Moses appeared to talk to Jesus about His forthcoming departure (His crucifixion).”
When Cornelius, the Gentile, had been praying, longing to know the one true God…God sent Peter to break the culture and color barrier. When the leper was healed, Elijah raised the son of the widow of Zarephath, a Gentile. Again, the division of people was smashed.
The secret is revealed that the Gentiles would be counted among those who received salvation and receive His promises. These visitations revealed Jesus was always in a uniquely, carved-out, pathway, divinely timed and prescribed by the Father, cutting through, making an incision to get to a critically important message for mankind. The Gentiles would be saved.
You see there is no partiality in Jesus Christ. We are judged spiritually and as we walk through this life, He looks at the heart to examine it, which must be cleansed. Yet, man in his period here on earth with people now wanting to cut God out of His creation, continues to practice senseless, ruthless racism and doing just whatever man wants to do.
After forty days of fasting going without food, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus had taken the step to begin His public ministry. That step opened the door for the devil and meant that inevitable conflict would ensue with the devil.
In one of his temptations, the tempter came saying, “Since you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus did not faulter, waver or hesitate in His reply – “It is written,” Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone.”
He let His words of the Spirit, the stones and the written word speak to the slanderer. He knew who He was and knew His mission – that is He took His orders only from the Father, not from the impostor.
As He said in John 10, “My sheep know my voice. My sheep will not follow the voice of a servant or an impostor. My sheep know my voice and I know my sheep and call them out by name.”
In another temptation in Matthew 4:5, the slanderer took Him up to the holy city and set Him on the wing of the temple. Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down: for it is written, He will give His angels charge of you.” Satan offers a misapplied scripture. The slanderer’s goal was to inspire doubt.
That’s the same ploy he applied with Eve. First, he got her attention by engaging her with lies and tempting language. Then, he went for the jugular by using her already weak mind to inject doubt into her (deception). Jesus wouldn’t commit suicide nor accept Satan’s invitation to fall down and worship him.
Jesus’ response was strong, “Begone, Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve,” refusing his invitation to rule the world in his own way.
So, what is the purpose of all this? Time is running out. The clock is ticking. As Elijah said, “Choose today who you will serve.” Will it be gods of child sacrifice, or will it be Jesus, the Christ? Your choice.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) Inquiring Minds Want to Know” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © The Holy Bible New Testament, Errors? Let me know. Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751} Reading References: (The Holy Bible) Pray without ceasing.