A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

DON’T PUT GOD TO THE TEST

Matthew 4:7 “Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered Him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

The Devil wanted Jesus to put God to the test. If Yahweh was truly Jesus’ Father, if Jesus was truly God’s Son, would Jesus trust God’s promise? The Devil and Jesus had two different promises in mind. The Devil wanted Jesus to be concerned about His physical body and its protection. Jesus, however, trusted in God as His only begotten Son. Jesus was ready and willing to do whatever His Father asked Him to do, but not what the Devil wanted Him to do. 

For a second time, Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ perfect obedience of His Father. His Father had already publicly proclaimed Jesus was His Son at His Baptism by John the Baptist. No other authentication was needed. No miraculous plunge with the temple’s spire would say anything more than what His Father has already said.   

God’s WORD is all you need as well. Jesus, having kept God’s Word perfectly did so as your substitute. To this very day He is with you to empower and enable you to hear God’s Word and keep it. You are blessed when you do this as Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those (you) who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) 

It is God’s word that reveals to You His will and the way He wants you to live. He does not promise you guardian angels so you can become a successful daredevil. He provides you with guardian angels to surround and protect you from any one and any thing that would try to cause you to no longer believe and trust in Him.   

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for faithfully obeying Your Father for me. Keep me in the true faith believing and trusting in You and Your Father in all my ways. In Your holy name. Amen. 

We walk by faith and not by sight, No gracious words we hear
From Him who spoke as none e’er spoke, But we believe Him near. 

We may not touch His hands and side, Nor follow where He trod;
But in His promise we rejoice And cry “My Lord and God!” 

Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; And may our faith abound
To call on You when You are near And seek where You are found. 

For You, O resurrection Lord, Are found in means divine:
Beneath the water and the Word, Beneath the Bread and wine. 

Lord, when our life of faith is done, In realms of clearer light
We may behold You as You are, With full and endless sight.  (LSB 720)