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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 18, 2007 Ultimate Authority |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, February 18, 2007 by Don Kress
Luke 4:5-8 “For the second test [the Devil] led [Jesus] up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, ‘They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.’ Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: ‘Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness’.” (The Message)
Satan’s first test of Jesus was a physical test: “A man must live, you know, and in order to live he must eat.” His second test, in today’s text, is a psychological one: “I know that you’re on your way to establishing your kingdom, but you’re on your way to that throne by way of the cross. Let’s avoid the cross. I can give you that kingdom you seek in a much easier way.”
It’s the same test that Satan used in the Garden of Eden with Eve: “Do I understand that God told you not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, and if you did you would die? You won’t die! Go ahead and eat from it. It will make you just like God.” (Genesis 3:1-5)
Do Satan’s words to Eve and to Jesus sound familiar? They are words he uses with us every day in countless situations: “Go ahead, take the easy way…Here, let me help you…Just do it my way...It’s okay; no one else needs to know.” Satan is always there, offering us a short cut, trying to convince us that his way is the easy way. “Deal, or no deal?” Eve took the deal, and we know the outcome. Jesus refused the deal, three times (Tuesday’s Frontline will deal with the third test, a spiritual test), and we know the outcome. But even Jesus’ success in resisting Satan’s threefold temptation would not discourage the Devil from proposing another deal. Luke 4:13 tells us, “That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.” The Devil wasn’t ready to surrender; he merely retreated, waiting for another chance to make another deal. That chance came a few years later on a dark night in the Garden of Gethsemane. Once again Jesus refused the deal, and we know the glorious outcome!
While Satan no longer tempts Christ, he still tempts you and me every day. Deal, or no deal?
About fifteen years ago I was introduced to the concept of a “two-boss world.” It means that we are often pulled in different directions by more than one authority figure in our lives. That second authority figure could be sin (Satan), but it can also be an employer, a hobby, or maybe even the newspaper or television. But one of the “bosses” that figures prominently in our lives is Jesus Christ. He expects us to serve him with absolute single-heartedness. I won’t tell you that I always do that. Far too often I find myself listening to one of my other bosses. But a prayer has helped me in my struggle to serve Christ. It is called “The Ultimate Authority Prayer,” and was introduced to me by David Mains, founder of “Chapel of the Air” ministries. A copy of this prayer hangs in my office as a daily reminder of Christ’s ultimate authority. I offer it as this devotion’s closing prayer. I encourage you to consider praying it daily as part of your up-coming Lenten journey. If you do, you will find that you will have it memorized by Easter, and you’ll have a new outlook about who you serve.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know I live in a “two-boss world.” Conflicting voices call for my allegiance, but yours is the one I choose to obey. Help me to please you today by upholding your standards, resisting temptation, and faithfully representing you in all I do. I claim the promise of your presence this day as I go about my work. Christ, you are my ultimate authority. Amen.
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