Fishing expedition

Matthew 4: 1-11, Mark 1: 12-13, and Luke 4: 1-13

After Jesus was baptized by his cousin John, the Spirit lead him into the wilderness where he is tempted by the Devil, the Adversary,  the Accuser of the brethren, the Serpent, the Dragon he has alot of name discriptors. 

- Please don't loose sight that it was the Spirit that initiated this meeting, but the Devil seized the opportunity to get intel on GOD's man, GOD's son, the Christ, what exactly was his plan?

- the other thing to remember is the others nearby observing, the messangers (Angels) waiting to minister to Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all make mention of them.

- this part of the scriptures is often referred to as the temptation of Christ (Jesus). The scriptures are correct in that Jesus was tempted in every way we are, but he was without sin. This interaction also serves an example of the proper way of handling any of GOD's adversaries, but this interaction reaches far deeper and exposes more than maybe the enemy had planned?

- the Devil knows that there are other son's of GOD, he is one of them afterall, but He's has never seen one created and definitely not one created as a flesh and blood.

- what are his capabilities? Is he like them, but made to look like an Adam?

- He knows if he is a man, Jesus should be hungry from the fasting and he uses that very thing as bait. Can you transform matter, what are your powers, and authority?

- Jesus doesn't bite, he reminds the Devil what the word of GOD says on the matter. (The WORD wielding GOD's word)

- Next regardless of the order of the conversation recorded by Matthew or Luke, the Devil is not phased by the response and shows that he knows how to manipulate GOD's word, he even uses Psalm 91. This Psalm is not just a Psalm of protection on GOD's annotinted, but an exoristic Psalm as evidenced by the fact that it was one of four scrolls found in a clay jar at Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) marked for exorisim. (Thank you to Dr. Michael Heiser for pointing this fact out)

- The Devil just showed he can manipulate GOD's word (so he thinks) and is also using part of an exoristic Psalm, basically saying you can't get rid of me that easy.

- When the Devil takes Jesus to the Pinnacle of the temple and quotes that piece of Psalm 91, is he fishing for whether Jesus can be killed?

- Again Jesus doesn't take the bait.

- The last interaction, (depending on the sequence of events) the Devil shows Jesus all the Kingdoms of the world and makes his offer. This is where the fishing expedition gets flipped on its head. The Devil's offer shows that if he gets what he wants, Jesus would be under his authority and because he's GOD's Christ he would also have GOD under his thumb as well. The Devil, like the disciples did not understand the "who" Jesus really is, "I am in the Father and the Father is in me." John 14:8-11

- The Devil thought he was negotiating with someone other than GOD.

- The offer of all the Kingdoms is revelatory, (not to GOD, there's no surprising GOD), but to the Angel's sitting in waiting ready minister to Jesus this would be news. In Dueteronomy 32:8 GOD had alloted authority to different sons of GOD over the nation's, but the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. Verse 9

- At some point these rebel sons of GOD, Psalm 82 had given thier allegiance and power to this Adversary, the Devil had control,  you can't offer up what you don't possess.

- This elohim has been the one pulling the strings, of a certain elohim tree guardian in Eden. The architect behind the scenes of Genesis 6:4 and Jude 1:6 also the Mastermind behind all of Jobs troubles.

- This fisherman had just revealed himself and took his own bait.

- the temptation was too great and I think to call this portion of the text, the temptation of Jesus looses sight of who is actually on the hook.

The take away from this interaction shows that GOD is a Master tactician and wisdom finds its definition in GOD. GOD's thoughts and ways are not just higher than ours, but "all" his children.

What has been done in secret is now brought into the light for all to hear and read.

Next - Finishing up Judges 

(Sorry I got distracted over the holidays)