For me, one of the greatest experiences of reading the Gospels is learning more about the life of Jesus and having the opportunity to learn from His teachings. As I go through the chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, the Biblical world comes alive, I am deeply engrossed in the story, and I feel as though I am learning so much at the feet of Jesus, reading His teachings, learning more about His life. Specifically, I am learning how He navigated His life, how He treated people, and met the challenges in front of Him. I constantly find myself examining my own heart, asking, what would I do? How would I respond? Would God be pleased with my actions? How can I live more like Jesus and be a light in the world?

As I read chapters three and four closely, my word, I realized, there is so much for me to learn. Now I better understand that old phrase and trend of the early millennium, that asked:

What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)?

The biggest highlight of these chapters, and the area I'd like to focus my journaling is in Jesus' temptations, but before I get there, some other great things need noting. 

After the narrative of Jesus' infancy we transition into His adult life, and His ministry by way of John the Baptist, and his heralding of the Messiah. Specifically, with the baptism of Jesus. I know many may wonder why Jesus 'needed' to be baptized, and why with John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness of Judea, wore "camel-hair garments with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey (Mt 3:4 HCSB)." John was an eccentric character, right?

Let me share this more interesting idea, and greater truth--nothing in the Bible is extraneous, happenstance, or without a deeper meaning and purpose. That includes John, the Baptist, and all his eccentric clothing, food, and life. John's life, garments, and diet parallel the prophet Elijah's life, food, and clothing. Jesus will actually address this (Mt. 11:14; 17:12-13), but for now, we can rest assured that John the Baptist fulfilled OT prophecy. Most important, we learn right away from John two important things:

"Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!" -Mt. 3:2 (HCSB)

First, we are told to repent, and second we are told why--because the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Repenting is a call to abandon sin and express sorrow for our sins, and the Kingdom of Heaven is defined as "the rule which God exercises through the person, work, and teachings of Jesus Christ (HCSB)."

This, my friends, is the Gospel, the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That He is here, for us, to save us, and through Him we find the Kingdom of Heaven. As John continues to minister he states,

"Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." -Mt 3:10 (HCSB)

Our 'fruit' is a term we'll hear throughout Matthew and refers to our good works, deeds, actions, or general behavior. These good works are a result of our inner transformation, which is not our own doing, but the work of God in us. As Christians, or general 'good people' we tend to think our good work, or goodwill is an act of our own goodness, our own piety, but the greater truth, the real truth is that our works are a product of inner transformation made through God. It is not us; it is never us. The glory, should never reside in us, but with God.

This reminds me of two important principles: first, God will punish those who do not "produce fruit consistent with repentance (Mt 3:8, HCSB)," and second, that faith without fruit (deeds, actions, good behavior) is condemned in the eyes of God. We must not only speak or profess our faith, but we must live it, too.

After Jesus is baptized by John, the heavens part, a dove descends, and God speaks:

"This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him." - Mt. 3:17 (HCSB)

God directly identifies Jesus as King and Savior, His Son, and He directly expresses His delight in Him. After reading that verse, I began to wonder what would God say if He parted the clouds and spoke on my behalf. Would He be pleased with me? Would He identify me as His beloved daughter?

My questioning is not to rise myself to the level of Jesus, but to examine the life I'm living and how it may follow Jesus. Remember that old phrase I mentioned above, WWJD? I thought about my life, how I am living, and questioned--what would Jesus do? How would Jesus live? Would God be pleased with the way I am stewarding my life, the resources He is blessing me with? Am I living in a way that honors Him and glorifies Him?

Of course, I have a lot of work to do.

That brings me to the biggest lessons I learned from my reading of Chapters three and four. After Jesus is Baptized by John, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He is tempted by the Devil. 

This is where we learn, and learn, and learn so much more. Life is filled with so much temptation, so many trials and tests, and over and over we fail them. I grossly failed one an hour or two after church this past Sunday, when I went to an open house, and began to weep over how beautiful a house was--that we could not afford. Yeah. Big failure. The house was so beautiful to me, I literally cried (because I couldn't have it). 

Again, I think, what would Jesus had done? What would God say to me? Am I living a life that honors Him, or living a life that seeks to glorify worldly possessions? 

In chapter four of Matthew, when Jesus is tempted, we learn so much about our Savior, and the kind of Messiah He is. In particular, His responses to the devil's temptations show us who He is and who we should strive to be.

The Temptations of Jesus

First, it is important to note that Jesus' temptations parallel OT Israel's test in the wilderness (Dt 8:2-3). Here are a few facts that enlighten our reading of Jesus' tests:

• Jesus was led to the wilderness for 40 days, Israel wondered the wilderness for 40 years.
• Both Jesus and Israel were hungry--this draws parallels between both, but also confirms that Jesus was truly human, as well as divine.
• Both Jesus and Israel were tested and tempted during their time in the wilderness--however, where Israel failed, Jesus prevailed.
• Jesus' responses to the Devil's temptations pull from God's messages to the Israelites during their trials in the wilderness.
• Jesus fulfilled righteousness, qualifying Him to create a new Israel.
• Finally, Jesus chose 12 disciples to parallels Israel's 12 tribes--this decision was purposeful and identified His followers as the new Israel.

When we look closely at the three tests Jesus underwent, we learn so much about our own trials, and what it means to truly be a Christian and follower of Christ.

Test #1: Stones to Bread (Mt 4:3-4)

In His first test, the devil tells Jesus "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread (Mt. 4:3, HCSB)." And Jesus replies:

The Test:

• Would He use supernatural power or depend on God's provisions?
• Would He obediently fast and follow God's will?
• Would He have faith in God's divine provisions and timing?

Jesus's Response:

• Every word and food, all sustenance comes from God's provisions.
• Obeying God's will is more important than being 'well-fed'.
• Jesus' hunger was for righteousness, His thirst was for obedience, not for worldly pleasures or supernatural powers.

In studying Jesus' response to His first test, we learn a lot about how we are to live and pass the tests we are given in life. Are we obedient to God and His timing? Do we rely on Him to provide all our sustenance and to provide all of our provisions? Do we trust His timing in all things? Are we concerned with obeying God's will or being 'well-fed' and filled with the material trappings and things of this world? And finally, what are we hungry and thirsty for? Do we hunger for God and being obedient to Him, or to the world and the daily pleasures it provides?

Test #2: Gamble His Life (Mt. 4:5-7)

In His second test, the devil tempts Jesus by taking Him to the pinnacle of the temple of the holy city and saying, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone (Mt 4:6, HCSB)." And Jesus replies:

The test:

• Devil quotes the OT Ps 91:11-12 (bold type above), erroneously, saying the Father will supernaturally intercede.
• Implication is that God is faithful only when He rescues us from suffering and danger.
• Implication is that God is faithful, just, and good only when He is performing miracles.
• Would Jesus act sensationally? Pull stunts and miracles to illustrate God's power?

Jesus' Response:

• Do not test the Lord, in all things.
• We are to have faith through all, even suffering and danger.
• True faith is strong, steadfast and does not depend on God's miracles to believe in His power.
• True faith does not tempt God or push Him to perform miracles to illustrate His power.
• God is trustworthy and faithful even when He allows or is the cause of our suffering--true faith prevails through all hard times.

How many times have we questioned God's faithfulness in our lives because we have asked and waited on a miracle? How many times have we gambled with our lives, our health, our finances, our purpose and mission in life, because we believed that God would save us and perform a miracle to get us out of a situation? How many times have we also gotten angry that God has not saved us from our own mistakes and missteps that gambled away what He blessed us with? 

Test #3: Receive the World, Worship Satan (Mt. 4:8-10)

In His third test, Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms and splendor of the world and tells Him, "I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me (Mt. 4:9, HCSB)." And Jesus responds,

"Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him." -Mt. 4:10 (HCSB)

The Test:

• Would Jesus trade God and righteousness for worldly powers, riches, and things?
• Would Jesus worship the Devil for worldly gains and political power?
• Would Jesus value the created world more than He valued the Creator--God?

Jesus' Response:

• Only God is worthy of worship.
• Only serve God.
• Righteousness, obedience to God, and the Kingdom of God is more valuable than riches, and worldly things.

Our culture is obsessed with material things, celebrities, and worldly things like followers, likes on social media, fame, money, cars, houses, etc. Many will not praise God publicly, but will praise celebrities, musicians, and political 'leaders.' We will not make time to go to church, to study the Bible, to help others in need and donate our time and money, but we will make time and money to go to the movies, concerts, theaters, vacations, etc. Are we seeking the world and all its splendor as the Devil tempted Jesus, or are we, instead, seeking the Kingdom of God?

In the face of how Jesus resisted temptation, I find it hard to not be tough on myself and how I have not resisted temptation. Remember that house I wept over? I have gone onto Pinterest, Instagram, or browsed the net and felt envious of the beautiful homes, and displayed lives other women have. I've looked at other's careers, vacations, etc. and wanted the same things, despite knowing deep in my heart my family has chosen other priorities. I've lusted after lifestyles that include material things instead of being happy with the life and resources God has blessed me and my family with, which are many. The blessings we prayed for before we married. I've, at times, forgotten I am living the very life (including all the sacrifices and the blessings) I prayed for with my husband sixteen years ago. 

My point is not to beat myself up, but after reading about Jesus' temptations in Matthew to better align myself with my priorities, which are Biblical and Christian rooted. To sort of realign myself with my God given purpose. Earlier in this post I wondered if God would be pleased with me, if He would identify me as His daughter whom He takes great delight in. 

I can't be presumptuous in answering that, as it is not my place to answer how God judges me; however, I can examine my life and see the many places I have stumbled. I can look at my decisions, the desires of my heart, the life that I live and am teaching my children, and truly ask myself if I am passing the test like Jesus, or if I am failing like the Israelites. I can examine if I am being a good stewardess of my time, my talents, my resources, my life in a way that honors Him, and glorifies Him, or if I am loosing sight of my purpose.

Make no mistake, I am and will continue to fail, and God (and I) know this. The good news, the Gospel, is that He still loves me. I can get back up, when I fall down, and continue to choose Him. I can stand again, and be better next time. How? Daily reminders of these truths:

• My righteousness is evident in the fruit of my life, my works, not in what I say, but what I do and how I live.
• Obey God instead of seeking to be 'well-fed' by the world's material things and trappings.
• Remember daily that all my sustenance, nourishment comes from God.
• Hunger for righteousness and thirst for obedience.
• Have faith in suffering, danger, pain in God. Believe and hold on to God's faithfulness at all times.
• Do not test the Lord or gamble away my life.
• Do not ask or tempt God to perform miracles on my behalf.
• Praise only God.
• Serve only God.

These are the decisions Jesus made when He was tempted. When we break them down and look at them, they aren't really hard. In fact, as I prayed to be stronger in making these decisions consistently in my life, I began to feel a release of stress, and pressure. It is comforting to know all I have to do is trust and have faith in God, do my part of being a good wife, mother, and woman, too, but have faith and rely on Him and I will be well. No worries. No need to attain or have it all. No need to compare myself with others. No need to feel insecure in what I have accomplished, or not accomplished. No need to cry over beautiful houses. :-)

All I need to do, is put all my faith and trust in the Lord, be the wife, mother, and woman He designed me to be, and all will be well. All is well in God.

I tell you all, there is nothing more beautiful. Especially for a recovering perfectionist, worrywart, and overachieving, people pleaser woman, like myself. My God gives me freedom to live and be the very best version of me He created me to be. My God leads me to live my best life. Not Oprah, not Pinterest or Instagram, not more education, not promotions, fancy cars and homes, or more likes and followers on the 'nets--My God gives me the best life, the authentic life. 

It is my deepest hope and wish that you, too, will know and feel this peace. That you will learn to value what God provides and choose the Kingdom of Heaven, and God's way over the trappings of the world. Sure, it is nice to have comfort and fill our surroundings with beautiful things, but they are just things. They do not make us better people, they do not fulfill our lives in the eyes of the Lord, they do not add more to our lives. In fact, they make it harder for us to choose His way, the right way.

By all means, seek accomplishments, set goals, and live your best life, but align that best life to honor, praise, and glorify God. Focus on the Creator and not His creations. He is the greater, and all this, is the lesser.

If His creations are great, imagine just how great He is as the Creator.

Deep and Full Blessings to You,

Kiandra