In today’s episode we jump forward from shortly after Jesus was born to right before Jesus starts His public ministry. In Matthew 3 and 4 we read about two interesting events that happen back to back. The first is the baptism of Jesus where the Father declares Jesus to be His Son and affirms His love for Him. Right after that Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. It’s important to remember that the devil is a fallen angel.
Today let’s hone in on his second temptation. Here satan quotes from Psalm 91:11-12. He presents a twisted challenge against Jesus’ identity, the Father’s character and the angels who did not rebel. It’s almost as if satan is saying, “Prove who you are and make the Father prove His love for you. And while you are at it make those angels who were too “goodie two shoes” to rebel with me prove they will take care of you.
Matthew 4:5-7 says, “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
Then after satan’s third temptation the Bible says, “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Let me ask you this, “Do you believe in satan?” I hope you do, because one of his deceptive tactics is to convince people He doesn’t exist, or at least is harmless. But this is far from the truth.
That being said, I find it interesting that most of us are willing to believe that fallen angels, whether satan or his cohorts, are at work and influence us. Yet, at the same time we aren’t so sure about good angels appearing and ministering to God’s people today. The Bible says in Hebrews 1:13-14 that angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation.” That is you and me. Do you believe that angels are sent to minister to us? That’s what God’s word says!
This week ask the Holy Spirit, “Please reveal anything in me that wants to deny that You would ever have angels minister to me. Then if He shows you something, ask Him, “How should I respond to what you have shown me?”
