Matthew 4:1-11

I just read Matthew 4:1-11 and then checked out this commentary. Two interesting things stuck out:

1. First read James 1:14- "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." But Jesus had no sin nature, so He couldn't be enticed by His own lust. The Devil had to show up and tempt him personally.

2. Jesus answered temptations with "it is written." Strength of will and determination are litte protection from temptation, we need to stand firm on the Word of God.

Brown City Camp

July 31 - August 10 was Brown City Camp. Because I had to be in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, I did not get to make it until August 6. But, for what I was there for, the teaching/speakers were excellent. I tried taking basic notes at night, so I'll see what I can post in the next few days.

Glory

Here's something that was pointed out at church on Sunday. Take a look at Mark 10:35-39:

James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You."

And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory."

But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

Now look what happens to John when he actually sees Jesus in his glory, Revelation 1:17-18:

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Now, John was as close a friend as Jesus had on earth, and he still clearly didn't get it. It would seem he thought of Jesus to some extent as his "buddy", but when he saw His glory, bam, down on his face. So what should our response be?

One more thought: How would we live if we really believed that the being described by John in Revelation 1 loved us?