eFollowingJesusJan11 - The Ring of Power (read Matthew 4:8-17)

   An intriguing plot twist in The Lord of the Rings is that not even the good (Frodo, Boromir, Gandalf) can wield power without being corrupted by it.  America is all about being big, more powerful than anybody; but are we cognizant of the dark perils that inevitably accompany power?

   Jesus himself refuses rule over the earth!  Jesus "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:6).  Our downfall is when we try to be God instead of letting God be God (Genesis 3:5).  For all of us, the more we have, the more stuff we accumulate, the more personal clout we wield, the graver our spiritual danger.

   Luke's Gospel adds that the devil "departed from him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13).  Evil lurks, waiting for an opening.  But Jesus' ministry can now begin - and he can call us to repent and be faithful, for he did maintain his focused obedience under severe assault.

   Lord, make us wary of power, of shiny things that tease.  Thank you for Jesus' refusal to succumb.  We pray for him to live in us so we may repent, turning 180° from the devil.

James

james@mpumc.org

Here is the full text of Matthew 4:8-17 - 8: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; 9: and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10: Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11: Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.  12: Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13: and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14: that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- 16: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17: From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

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