Tag: Cayce Fletcher

To Lead Begins With Sacrifice

Num 27-28

Ps 21

Mark 6

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

This week, we’ve been approaching ever so slowly the end of the Israelites’ 40th year in the wilderness. There has been a changing of the guard throughout these chapters – with the deaths of Miriam and Aaron and now the foretold death of Moses. God takes this time now to prepare Joshua for the task of leading the people through these words given to Moses. 

You may think that Moses would focus on something more akin to the ‘12 irrefutable laws of leadership,’ but he takes this time to double down on the system of sacrifices that the law instituted. 

  • Offer a lamb in the morning. 
  • Pour out a drink offering each day. 
  • Offer some flour each day. 
  • Offer a lamb in the evening. 
  • Offer two lambs on the Sabbath. 
  • Offer two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish at the beginning of the month plus a male goat
  • On the Passover (during the first month of the year) make an additional offering everyday for seven days
  • During the other festivals throughout the year, make an offering

Over and over, the commandments are the same: Make an offering. Make an offering. Make an offering. 

Joshua’s role as leader of the people was not to be successful – whether in the ancient ways of building more impressive buildings or in the modern ways of money and acclaim amongst the people. His role was to shepherd the people to follow the ways of God. And, central to the ways of God is this system of offerings. 

Burnt Offerings were so important because “the burnt offering required the worshipper to incinerate a valuable asset which could have been used to increase one’s wealth. The worshipper would have to believe that the Lord would provide for their needs regardless of the loss” (from Favor by Fire: Burnt Offerings and the Bible). Burnt Offerings required the Israelites to order their hearts rightly and sacrifice in complete trust and obedience (much like tithing today). 

Burnt Offerings also beautifully point to the future atonement of Christ’s work on the cross. Hebrews 10:11-14 says, “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest [aka Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

It’s fitting that this is the basis for Moses’ instructions to Joshua. To be a leader means that you have to live with sacrifice at the forefront of your mind. You have to base your decisions on God and treat your influence and accomplishments tenderly, stewarding them rather than boasting in them. 

Moses’ final instructions remind us of the focus of our life. We should live for God in all that we do. And, that requires sacrifice. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What would burnt offerings require of the people in the past? Why did God require this sacrifice? 
  2. How is the idea of sacrifice different under the New Covenant? Do we still have to practice a form of daily sacrifice?
  3. How did the ancient form of sacrifices point to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice? 

Prayer

God, 

Thank you for the perfect gift of your son as our saving sacrifice. Let us be a daily offering to you through our lives. Let all we are and do bring honor and glory to you. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Zealous for Truth, Refined by Fire

Num 25-26

Ps 21

Mark 5

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

When we read through the Bible, we are confronted with episodes that may make us feel uncomfortable. Some stories feature violence and death, and to our modern sensibilities, they may seem extreme and a little off-putting. But we must always remind ourselves that the guide for what is good is God, and we learn about him through his word. 

So, today, when we read about a plague and the violent means to end the plague, we have to remember that we cannot come to the text with preconceived notions about what is good and place them on it (“Love is love,” etc.) We have to look at what the text says about goodness and truth. 

The Israelites were almost at the end of the 40th year of wandering. They were living in a place just north of the Dead Sea. They began to pursue the ways of the people who lived around them (and I’m putting that euphemistically). This ultimately resulted in idol worship. Numbers 25:3 says, “So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor.”

The people had entered into a covenant relationship with God, and one of the key commandments of that relationship was to have no other gods before him. But they rejected that law and sought their own path. 

Throughout the wanderings, they had committed several sins that showed their lack of trust, but as of yet, they had not sinned in this way: worshipping the gods of another nation. This phrasing – being yoked to Baal – is interesting. Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, we see Israel struggle with this habitual sin of Baal worship. 

Also interestingly, it seems that Baal was introduced to the Israelites through the counsel of Balaam in Numbers. 31:16, see also Rev. 2:14. The Enduring Word commentary says, “Essentially, after his failure to curse Israel, Balaam said something like this to Balak: “I cannot curse these people. But you can get them to curse themselves by luring them to rebel against their God. Send your most provocative girls among them and tell them to tempt the men of Israel to immorality and idolatry.” And it worked.”

And thus starts the long battle against idolatry that plagues the Israelites through the judges, kings, and on into Exile. When framed in this way, it is easier to see why God was so angry at this breaking of the covenant. This was not a one-off situation. This was the beginning of the story of unfaithfulness. 

In response, God’s anger “burned against Israel.” Fire is often a picture of wrath, judgment, and refinement. Ultimately, we will all be refined by fire, and we want what remains to be pure and complete not lacking anything. 1 Peter 1:7 says it like this, “So that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

We must take a hard look at the sin in our lives and repent of it. We have to reject idolatry and the lies of this age. We have to flee from evil.

We want to be refined and proven true on that glorious day of Christ. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Some of today’s passage was hard to read. Why do you think God included difficult passages in his word? Why do we need to wrestle with these passages? 
  2. Balaam was able to hurt the Israelites much more by enticing them to idolatry than by his curses. How does the enemy work in the same way today? 
  3. How did Phinehas deal with idolatry and sin? How must we deal with it in our lives? 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

You are a great God – the only God worth worshiping. Thank you for your word that helps us to know you better. Please keep us from idolatry. Help us to be zealous for you and you alone. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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What are you trusting in?

Num 23-24

Ps 20

Mark 5

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

The streets were hot and crowded as the people jostled for space. In the midst of the dust and sweat, a woman with a trembling hand reached out and touched the rough-hewn cloak of the man walking and talking in front of her. 

She knew that this was a life-or-death situation. She knew she just had to reach him. If she could only touch him, the horror of the last decade would at last be finished. She shuddered. Years of being alone. Years of throwing her money at doctors for a cure. Years of being barred from the temple. 

With a look to the side and the left, she leaped at her chance and grabbed the hem of his cloak. Just then, the man turned and said, “Who touched me?” 

Fear settled in the pit of her stomach. Everyone looked around with a questioning glance. What was he talking about? But the woman knew – it was her. She spoke up, stammering, expecting a rebuke, “It was I, my Lord.” 

Instead of speaking harshly to her, he gently turned to her and said, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” 

Today, we read of this woman’s story and her miraculous faith in Jesus. We also read about Balaam’s curses (or lack thereof). Each of these stories shows the truth of Psalm 21:6-8: 

“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;

    he will answer him from his holy heaven

    with the saving might of his right hand.

  Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

  They collapse and fall,

    but we rise and stand upright.”

Balak had chosen to trust in the curses of Balaam. He wanted Balaam to bring about the destruction of the Israelites, but he was thwarted because the people who trust in the name of God will rise and stand upright. Balaam was not even able to curse the Israelites because God as with them. The curses instead fell on Balak. 

The woman chose to trust in God through Jesus, and she was able to rise and stand upright, healed and made clean through Christ. Doctors, money, and status could not save her, but God did. 

We are constantly blown and tossed by the storms of life. When we go through suffering, when we go through pain, we have to turn and fix our eyes on the Lord. Others may collapse and fall, but if we trust in him, we will rise and stand upright. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What have you found yourself trusting in lately? 
  2. What are the chariots and horses of today? Why is it so much easier to trust in ‘chariots and horses’? 
  3. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God more? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the care that you give each one of your servants. Thank you for not neglecting us in our sorrow and need, but instead, providing for us in every way. Help us to trust in you more. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Where are you looking?

Num 21-22

Ps 20

Mark 4

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

The Israelites are approaching the end of their 40th year wandering in the desert. The older generation had passed away, and the new generation was rising up and being prepared to enter the Promised Land. 

At the end of Numbers 21, Edom had refused passage to the Israelites, so the people were forced to take the longer way back around the Red Sea. In the quintessential Israelite fashion, they began to complain about Moses’s leadership and the ‘worthless food’ they were eating. So, God sent ‘fiery serpents’ to attack the people. 

Why fiery serpents? The word ‘fiery’ here is seraph. This could mean a venomous snake – whose bite would sting. But the word seraph is interesting. Fire throughout the Old Testament is often used to describe God’s judgment and holiness. By sending a fiery snake, God was inciting judgment on the Israelites for their complaints. 

Why fiery serpents? Ever since the Garden of Eden, serpents are synonymous with evil. Why would God send those to the people? David Christensen writes, “The serpents point to “Egyptian symbolism.”” The people had desired Egypt and its God, so God effectively sent them these things. But, of course, the effect of this is the opposite of what the people wanted. When the people get what they desire, it results in death. 

This is true for us as well. Sometimes, we desire what we should not. We complain. We get bitter. We think, if only I could have that instead of the worthless things around me. But when we get that desire, it results in death. James 1:14-15 describes it like this: “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Thankfully, our salvation mirrors the salvation found in this passage. Moses was told to put a bronze serpent on a stick, to lift it up, and anyone who looked at it would be healed. John 3:14-15 says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 

Left to our own desires and devices, we will follow a path that ends in death, but when we look to Christ as our sacrifice, savior, and King, we will find the path to eternal life. Where are you looking today?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt despite all they had seen? 
  2. Why do you think God sent the fiery serpents as a punishment? 
  3. How do you see yourself in the story of the Israelites? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, whom we can look to for eternal life. Help us to follow after you in obedience and reverence. Let us not turn away to our own desires. Help us to flee from them and run towards you. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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The Whole Duty of Man

Num 19-20

Ps 19

Mark 4

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

Numbers 19 finishes the communication of the law of God to his people through Moses. We then see a 38-year jump in time. Right after the Exodus from Egypt, the people traveled to Mount Sinai. There they encamped around the mountain for about a year. It is there they received the law and celebrated the first Passover. 

After the year spent around Sinai, the Israelites went directly to Canaan, where the infamous episode with the spies took place. The Israelites were forced to wander for 40 years. Numbers 20 begins during this 40th year. The old generation that included Miriam (126 years old when she died) and Aaron (123 years old) was passing away, and the new generation was preparing to enter the Promised Land. 

Still, even though so much time had passed, the people seemed to have learned nothing. They began grumbling and complaining again. Moses turned to God in his distress. He fell down on his knees in prayer. What a picture of how we should respond when we are at the end of our rope! 

God met him there and gave him the next steps to take. He was to go to the rock and tell the water to come out. 

And then the tragedy occurs – Moses, who always chose the humble path, responded in anger (with a little bravado) to the people. He goes up to the rock, “and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?”” Then, he strikes the rock twice. 

Because of his disobedience, he is barred from the promised land. God tells him that his response ‘did not uphold God as holy before the people.’

The right response to God is faithful obedience on our knees. It is there that we meet him face-to-face. But it is so easy to let our view of God get clouded by our messy emotions and our chaotic surroundings. 

Do we respond to God in faithful obedience? Or do we react rashly – foolishly – hoping God will bless the response even if it’s sinful? 

God requires whole-hearted obedience and an attitude that reflects a pure heart. Moses’ anger towards the people in that moment caused him to react violently – and Moses was judged for it. 

We rarely feel fear, awe, or reverence for authority today, but today’s passage reminds us that God is holy. We must remember the holiness of God and cultivate a healthy fear of God in our souls. The fear of God helps us to respond faithfully with humility to the commands of God. 

As we read of the end of Miriam and Aaron’s lives, let’s be reminded that the foundation of the legacy of our lives should be this fear of God. As Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Reflection Questions

  1. How does a life built on the foundation of the fear of the Lord differ from a life without it? 
  2. In what ways did Moses show a fear of God throughout his life? Why did this instance at Meribah not show a fear of God? 
  3. How do you grow in your fear of the Lord?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Please let us remember who the true Lord of our lives is. Let us remember how great you are. Let us remember that you are God and you are not. Thank you for the ways that you draw us back to this truth. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Lessons from the Almond Blossom

Numbers 17-18

Ps 19

Mark 3

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

After the dust has settled from taking down the Christmas decorations and the long winter days begin, my heart always yearns for the first glimpses of Spring. I always find it nestled amongst the leaves and the mulch. Before the weather turns hot and humid, before the first buds on the trees, before winter really seems to loosen its grasp, I see the yellow blooms set off against the dark green leaves. The daffodil, a golden reminder that spring is just around the corner. 

I’m not sure if they have daffodils in Israel, but one plant that they do have – which doesn’t grow here – the almond tree. In today’s reading, we read about Aaron’s staff, with the names of Israel etched on the side, sprouting these flowers. 

It makes me think: What is so special about the almond blossom? 

Almond blossoms were often the first indication that spring was on its way. Biblehub explains, “The almond blossom holds rich symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative. Its early blooming is often associated with vigilance and the fulfillment of God’s promises. The almond tree’s ability to flower in the midst of winter serves as a reminder of hope and renewal, reflecting God’s faithfulness and the assurance of His word coming to pass.”

In the case of Aaron, the blooming of his staff was an important confirmation for him and the Israelite people: God had chosen the Levites to “guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death” (Numbers 18:7). 

It’s interesting that the almond blossom in this passage is supposed to serve as a reminder of two things: (1) that God’s word shall come to pass and (2) that God had ordained Aaron and his family to be an authority in the temple. In fact, Aaron was told to put his staff in the ark of the covenant to be a reminder to the ‘rebels’ of who God has chosen. 

We often are more like the Israelites than we care to admit. We see God work in our lives, but grumble and complain all the same. Almond blossoms remind us that Spring will always come – and God’s word shall always be fulfilled. How often do we grumble and complain? How often do we rebel because of a lack of trust? 

You may not have almond blossoms in your backyard, but as you look out at your garden this morning, try to notice the first glimpses of Spring. We have a great hope that God’s word will never return void. We can completely trust him! 

Reflection Questions

  1. What is your first indication that Spring is on its way? 
  2. What is one way you can remind yourself to trust in God’s promises, even when you feel discouraged? 

Prayer

Lord, 

Thank you for the renewal of the world that happens at Springtime. Thank you for the new life that we have all been given in Christ. May we not forget your promises. May we not chafe against your sovereignty. You are our King, and we praise you! 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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The Lord of the Sabbath

Matt 12:1-21

Mark 3

Luke 6

Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Every morning, I like to take a little bit of time after my bible study to read a few pages in a book. Currently, I am working my way through Jesus the King by Tim Keller (also called King’s Cross). This book is a compilation of Keller’s sermons on the gospel of Mark, and I’ve enjoyed it so far. Interestingly, my reading today lined up perfectly with today’s passages.

In each of the passages today, we read of Jesus doing the work of God on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were outraged, saying, ‘Who does this guy think he is?’ And, each time, Jesus responded, ‘I am Lord of the Sabbath.’

Before we can dive into what Jesus is teaching here, we have to ask: “What is the Sabbath?”

The Sabbath was instituted in the dawn of time when God rested from his work of the world and then reinforced with the Mosiac law. Why did God need to rest? 

Keller answers this question in his book: “What does that mean? Does God get tired? No, God doesn’t get tired. So how could he rest? A different reason to rest is to be so satisfied with your work, so utterly satisfied, that you can leave it alone. Only when you can say about your work, “I’m so happy with it, so satisfied – it is finished!” can you walk away. When God finished creating the world, he said, “It is good.” He rested.” (Jesus the King, p. 45)

God didn’t need to strive anymore after his creation was made. It was very good, and he could cease from striving. Sabbath in Old Testament times shows a dependence upon the provision of God. The Israelites had to trust that God would provide enough manna so that they could rest on the sabbath. They had to trust that God would provide abundantly with their crops when they let their land rest every 7 years. 

But, by Jesus’ time, the Sabbath had become so distorted that it turned from being a testament to God’s very good creation and provision to being a heavy load carried on the backs of his people. 

As Keller says, Sabbath means ‘deep peace, deep rest.’ When Jesus says he is Lord of the Sabbath, he is saying that “he is the source of the deep rest we need” (p.44). 

Hebrews 4:9-11 says, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”

Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we can experience the same type of Sabbath rest. We can cease the striving, lay down our heavy burdens, and rest in what is already done. 

Cayce Fletcher writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. Check out the blog and other resources to help you create a life you love and cultivate your heart for God. This free resource here will help you take your Bible study one step further with a Bible reading tracker, Bible study reflection page, and more.  

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the point of the Sabbath? Why did God institute the Sabbath?
  2. Do you think believers are still called to observe the Sabbath? What does that look like under the New Covenant? 
  3. What does it mean that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath? What does that say about Jesus? What does that say about the Sabbath?

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“This is Water”

John 5 

Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

David Foster Wallace, a popular modern literary author, gave a commencement address in 2005 that everyone should read at least once. Wallace wasn’t a religious person, but he was concerned about the search for meaning. His speech highlights a central truth about humanity while recognizing how this truth is realized in an increasingly secular world. 

He begins his speech with the story of a fish who greets two fish by asking, ‘How’s the water?’ After that fish swims away, the other fish turns to his friend and asks, ‘What the heck is water?’

Here is a quote, at length, from his speech: “Because here’s something else that’s weird but true: in the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. […]

“The whole trick is keeping the truth up front in daily consciousness.

“Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they’re evil or sinful, it’s that they’re unconscious. They are default settings.

“They’re the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day, getting more and more selective about what you see and how you measure value without ever being fully aware that that’s what you’re doing. […]

“It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over:

“This is water.“

This is a truth we all need to remind ourselves of. We are all predisposed towards following idols and worshipping things that ultimately are fruitless. 

In today’s readings, I see the same truth in Jesus’ words. In Jesus’ words to the Jews, he speaks of their reverence – their worship – for the law of Moses. But, he sees – and we see – how this reverence ultimately led them to reject the very thing that Moses was looking forward to: Jesus. 

In John 5:39-40, he says, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

Their worship caused them to become focused on the wrong things, and in so doing, they missed the true life that was in Jesus. 

We have the same option before us. We can choose to follow after all of these idols, thinking we will gain something from them. But, ultimately, that will simply lead to a fruitless life. 

Or, we can choose to come to Jesus and gain true life. 

In Wallace’s speech, his conclusion is that people should just live to be kind, but he rejects the idea that there is a greater religious implication for his worship. And, the tragedy of Wallace’s life is that he never came to Jesus himself. In 2008, he committed suicide.

What are you choosing to worship today? Come to Jesus, and gain true life. 

Cayce Fletcher writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. Check out the blog and other resources to help you create a life you love and cultivate your heart for God. This free resource here will help you take your Bible study one step further with a Bible reading tracker, Bible study reflection page, and more.  

Reflection Questions

  1. What were the Jews worshipping? Why was this ultimately fruitless without Jesus?
  2. What are you choosing to worship today? Will it result in something lasting? 
  3. Jesus says, “Come to me, and you will have life.” How does Jesus grant life now – in addition to eternal life? 

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Pursuing Jesus

Mark 2 

Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Even so early in his ministry, the crowds had already begun to clamor for Jesus. They wanted to hear his words, to be close to him. In Mark 2, we read that there were so many people at a house where Jesus was teaching that there was simply no room left. 

My church has a fairly large sanctuary. Most weeks, it never gets more than ¾ of the way full. But, there are those special events (and Christmas and Easter) when most pews are full. 

It’s wonderful to go into a full church – not just because of the excitement – but also because we are bigger and grander when we’re together. We sing louder. We have better conversations. We are able to carry each other’s burdens more easily. 

But, even during the biggest service, there has never been a time where there was no room left. 

I wonder what it would have been like to be in this moment at the house with Jesus. What would it have been like to be a part of the growing excitement? To hear Jesus’ name in whispers through the countryside. To see people drop everything just for a chance to hear his teaching. 

What if you could experience this today? 

The truth is we have an even better opportunity to come and hear Jesus’ teachings. To meet with not only him, but also God our Father as well. But, all too often, we reject this opportunity.

How many times have you said the excuse that you were just too busy to pray? How many times have you moved through your days and weeks and just forgot to open your Bible? How many times have you said, ‘I just don’t feel like it,’ when Sunday morning rolls around? You hit snooze and go back to sleep. What about during weekly Bible study? How many times have you just said, ‘I just need some me-time, to relax.’ 

With recent national events, there have been several posts asking about churches to go to. People are searching for answers and trying to find them. 

We have an opportunity for revival in our community and nation if we can point them to the one who gives true life. Not only this, we can experience revival in our own hearts. We just have to commit to show up, be consistent, and be obedient. 

The young men who needed to get to Jesus climbed up on the roof, dug through it, and lowered their paralyzed friend down to Jesus to be healed. How are you pursuing Jesus today? 

Cayce Fletcher writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. Check out the blog and other resources to help you create a life you love and cultivate your heart for God. This free resource here will help you take your Bible study one step further with a Bible reading tracker, Bible study reflection page, and more.  

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some excuses that you make concerning your quiet time? What about going to church? Do you consistently show up, or do you let things get in the way?
  2. Have you invited someone to church recently? How have you been sparking conversations that may lead to evangelism? 
  3. Several of the events we read about today are about Jesus’ authority. He has the authority to forgive sins, to choose his disciples, when to fast, and even over the Sabbath. Why is the question of Jesus’ authority focused on so much in the gospels?

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The Fight Against Temptation

Matthew 4 

Luke 4-5

John 1:15-51

Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, we read of his baptism. This is a special moment of God clearly anointing Jesus with his spirit as he says, “This is my son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus is anointed and commissioned in that moment to go and preach the gospel of the Kingdom – which is what he does in Matthew 4:17. 

In between the anointing and commencing of his ministry, we read of a curious episode in Jesus’ life. He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 

The devil shows Jesus three things to entice him to reject God in disobedience. He tells Jesus to turn the stones to bread, to command the angels to come and rescue him, and to elevate himself physically and figuratively so that the world will bow down to him. 

Interestingly, these things aren’t necessarily the same struggles we may be tempted by. In one Bible Study I was teaching about this passage, one of my friends looked puzzled and mentioned that he would think that Jesus would have been tempted with ‘the lust of the eyes’ because that is such a ubiquitous struggle for our society. But, I think that this instance is more than Jesus staying strong against the seven deadly sins – though he does and remains sinless throughout his temptations. 

In each instance, the devil says, ‘Just show your power to do these things. Show yourself to be like God.’ The devil knows that Jesus has the authority to do the things that he is tempting Jesus with. Jesus also has the power to do those things. But, Jesus knows that he must remain obedient. Jesus is not God, and Jesus knows that the only reason he has the power and authority to do supernatural things is because God has granted him that authority. 

These temptations echo the first temptations in the garden. The ancient serpent also tempted Adam and Eve with the chance to become ‘like God.’ Instead of trusting in God and remaining obedient to his word, Adam and Eve trusted the serpent and grabbed at the chance for the knowledge of Good and Evil. Of course, the serpent’s promises were empty and brought death, not happiness. 

We are also tempted. Yes, temptations mean that we have to be sure to follow the law of God and live righteously. But, more than that, temptations mean that we have to trust that God knows what is best for our lives. Jesus could have looked at his situation in the wilderness (that he was led to by God) and decided that he knew best. In that moment, he could have rejected God, acted disobediently, and sinned. 

But, he didn’t. 

Instead, his obedience required him to humble himself and trust God. Ultimately, this proved to be a training ground for what would be required of him later on. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross.” 

We have to take the same path. We don’t know best. We have to trust God and his word. 

We can take comfort in the end of the story, too. Jesus wasn’t exalted by the devil, but we know that the thing the devil tempted him with will come true because Jesus was obedient. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

We wait in hope for that day, and we live in obedience today. 

Cayce Fletcher writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. Check out the blog and other resources to help you create a life you love and cultivate your heart for God. This free resource here will help you take your Bible study one step further with a Bible reading tracker, Bible study reflection page, and more.  

Reflection Questions

  1. How are the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness similar to and different from the temptations of Adam and Eve in the garden? 
  2. How does Jesus fight against temptation? How can you better equip yourself to fight against temptation? 
  3. Why did God lead Jesus to the wilderness? How was Jesus’ time in the wilderness preparation for the rest of his ministry? 

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