What Jesus Did : Luke 4:5-8 - Shortcut or Suffering

    by Phil Ware

    Shortcut or Suffering - Luke 4:5-8

    Then the devil took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Jesus, "I will make you king over all these places. You will have power over them and will get all the glory. It has all been given to me. I can give it to any person I want. I will give it all to you, if you will only worship me." Jesus answered, "It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!'" (ERV) Full Text

    Tweet

    Key Thought

    This is a great demonstration of Jesus' love for us because his crucifixion would not have happened if he had not resisted the devil here. He is offered a shortcut to world dominion, one that would not require his suffering and death. Yet he chooses the long hard road that leads to Golgotha because of his love for us. Jesus will not compromise on this one truth of truths—only God is to be worshiped and honored as God! No matter the risks, costs, or consequences, Jesus reminds us that we are to serve God alone!


    Today's Prayer

    Get WJD by EMAIL!

    Enter your email address above to subscribe to the email edition of What Jesus Did! Follow along FREE every day as we go through Luke in a year.
    More Info on Mailing Lists
    Father in heaven, only you are the one true living God whose love endures from one generation to another. Give me an undivided heart to serve you whole-heartedly and without rival. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


    Now you can get Phil's What Jesus Did devotional as a paperback book!

    Today's Verses in Context


    Jesus returned from the Jordan River. He was full of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert. There the devil tempted Jesus for 40 days. Jesus ate nothing during that time. When those days were finished, Jesus was very hungry. The devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell this rock to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'It is not just food that keeps people alive.'" Then the devil took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Jesus, "I will make you king over all these places. You will have power over them and will get all the glory. It has all been given to me. I can give it to any person I want. I will give it all to you, if you will only worship me." Jesus answered, "It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!'" Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem. The devil put Jesus on a very high place of the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'God will command his angels to take care of you.' It is also written: 'Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.'" Jesus answered, "But it also says {in the Scriptures }: 'You must not test (doubt) the Lord your God.'" The devil finished tempting Jesus in every way and went away to wait until a better time.

    -- Luke 4:1-13 (ERV)

      URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0221-wjd.html

    (c)2001-2006, Phil Ware and Heartlight, Inc.

    ©1996-2002, Heartlight, Inc. - http://www.heartlight.org