Jesus' Use of Old Testament Texts
Monday, September 2 Luke 4:1-4; Deuteronomy 8:1-5
“People do not liveby bread alone”
Jesuswas clear about his mission as the Messiah, but now he had to deal with thequestion of strategy. Being who he was,called to redeem and reconcile a fallen world, how would he go about it? This is the whole focus of the temptations –the how of life. And the interesting thing is that during hisencounter with the devil, the Scriptures were Jesus’ resource. The answers that he gave to the devil inresponse to all three temptations came right out of Deuteronomy.
Jesus has been in the wilderness for forty days and has had nothing toeat all that time. In the firsttemptation the devil suggests Jesus should take care of his physical needs. But Jesus understands that the devil’ssuggestion is to be independent of God and replies with Deuteronomy 8:3,arguing that life is run by more than food. In fact, in the priority of things, life is not defined by bread atall. Instead, life is defined by doingGod’s will and depending on his provision. In the Deuteronomy verse, the next line refers to living by every wordthat proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. To follow God is to live.
May your Word, Lord, guide me when I amtempted. Amen.
Tuesday, September 3 Luke 4:5-8; Deuteronomy 6:10-13
“Worship the Lordyour God”
Thesecond temptation is an invitation to worship Satan and abandon loyalty to theFather, a direct challenge to the first commandment which is to have no othergods. Satan allows Jesus to see all thekingdoms in the world and promises him authority over all of them if he willonly worship him. The proposal is of analliance between the Son and Satan. But,although Satan possesses great authority, he can’t grant this wish for thekingdoms in the world do not belong to him. The proposal is a delusion and a lie, as are all of Satan’s attempts toget us off track.
Jesus’ reply makes it clear he knows which way is true. There is no quick and easy road to messianicglory or to spiritual survival in a hostile world. Jesus opts to receive from the Father what isthe Father’s to give. Therefore, Jesusreplies with Deuteronomy 6:13. Only oneBeing is worthy of worship – the Lord God. That verse notes one other important reality, that with worship comesservice. True service means remainingallied to God.
You alone, Lord, will I worship and serve. Amen.
Wednesday, September 4 Luke 4:9-13; Deuteronomy 6:14-19; Psalm 91:9-16
“Do not test theLord your God”
Thethird temptation, like the second, involves a vision-like experience. Jesus is taken to the temple in Jerusalem andinvited to jump off its highest point, which scholars tell us loomed over acliff and the Kidron Valley some 450 feet below. To cast oneself down from such a height andsurvive would take divine intervention. Satanshows that he, too, knows Scripture, by citing Psalm 91:11-12, a text thatpromises God’s protection for his own. The premise is, “If God protects his own and you are his Son, then youcan jump and not worry.”
As spiritual as this sounds, Jesus recognizes the remark as apresumptuous test of God’s care. God hasnot asked Jesus to jump from the temple, and to do so would artificially createa need for God to act. Since it puts Godin a “show me” position, the action is really a private test of God and a signof a lack of faith. These kinds of testsGod’s children are not to pursue. SoJesus replies with Deuteronomy 6:16, a text that rebuked Israel for testing Godin places like Massah.
I will trust you, Lord, without putting you to the test. Amen.
Thursday, September 5 Luke 4:14-19; Isaiah 61:1-11
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”
The synagoguewas without clergy and, as was the custom, someone was selected each Sabbath tobe the particular teacher. Often avisiting rabbi would be chosen. On thisSabbath, Jesus was the choice – local boy makes good. They had heard about this young man who wasteaching in the synagogues and was “praised by everyone” (verse 15). Jesus found and read Isaiah 61:1-2 and 58:6.
Considering thepeople to whom Jesus brought the Good News during his ministry, “the poor” herecertainly includes those who live in a socially and economically limitedenvironment. But according to the use ofthis term in the Old Testament, that is not all that is intended here. The Old Testament background points to the anawim, the “pious poor.” These are the humble whom God will exalt, forthey are frequently the first to recognize how much they need God. To such spiritually open folks, Jesusproclaims release, recovery of sight, and freedom from oppression, and throughhis ministry he will accomplish what he has proclaimed.
I humbly confessmy need of you, Lord, and praise you for your salvation. Amen.
Friday, September 6 Luke 4:20-30; 1 Kings 17:8-24
“The Scripture hasbeen fulfilled this very day”
Jesus tells hisaudience that they are seeing the fulfillment of the words of Isaiah 61, wordsassociated with the salvation of God. The crowd reacts with marvel at the words spoken by Jesus, but the issueof Jesus’ pedigree raises questions in their minds. This is Joseph’s son, so how can such ahumble figure possibly be all the things declared by Isaiah? They cannot fit Jesus’ ancestry with hisclaims. Despite their amazement, theyare skeptical.
Jesus points tothe period of the prophet Elijah, one of the lowest, most godless periods inIsrael’s history. He reminds the peoplethat during that time, Elijah did little work among the Israelites but he didraise a Gentile woman’s son from the dead. This remark is strong for two reasons: (a) It compares the current erato one of the least spiritual periods in Israel’s history, and (b) it suggeststhat Gentiles, who were intensely disliked among the Jews, were more worthy ofministry than they were. A choice surroundsJesus, and to choose wrongly is to lose the opportunity for blessing andinstead to gain judgment.
May I not be skeptical, Lord, when you seekto bless me. Amen.
Saturday, September 7 Luke 4:20-30; 2 Kings 5:1-19
“There is a trueprophet in Israel”
WhenJesus began talking about the here and now, claiming that the words of Isaiahwere being fulfilled that very day, his hearers were uneasy. Their reaction showed that Jesus did not fittheir expectations about the origins of God’s great prophets. Some people never get past Jesus’background. Would the God of theuniverse manifest his glorious message in someone of such humble roots? Was Jesus truly a prophet?
Inresponse to their questioning of his status as God’s prophet, Jesus remindsthem of the story of the prophet Elisha and Namaan. Namaan was the commander of the king of Aram’sarmies, and he was a leper. In hishousehold there is a young girl, a Jewess captured during one of his raids intoIsraelite territory. She tells hermistress, Namaan’s wife, that if her master were to go to the Israelite prophethe might be cured. When Elisha hears ofthe matter, he says: “Send Namaan to me, and he will learn that there is a trueprophet in Israel.” So it is with allwho come to Jesus – they will learn that there is a true prophet in Israel.
You,Jesus, are God’s Prophet sent to us with the message of salvation. Amen.