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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topic of Christian journey and the “Conquest of Canaan”
in the previous months, now in the month of March, considering that
we are in the season of Lent, I intend to focus on the subject- “Lent season”.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
13th Lent Day
A deceitful salesman
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said,
"if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is
written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.-
Matt 4:8-10
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Whilst reflecting on the temptations Satan brought upon Jesus, it’s difficult not to agree
with some of the Biblical scholars who have branded him as the world’s “original deceitful salesman”.
Remember the way, he “originally sold the benefit” of eating the forbidden fruit to Eve
“For God knows that in the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God”
(Genesis 3:4-5).
Eve fell for it but Son of God -made of sterner stuff- did not fall for the
“juicy” offer Satan came up with in his third temptation of offering the entire world with
its pompous riches.
In the first temptation, the master deceiver had suggested what Jesus ought to do for Himself.
Next he suggested what the Father ought to do for Jesus and now he suggests what he would do for
Jesus- in exchange for what Jesus could do for him.
Yielding to Satan’s offer would have disqualified Jesus from being the sinless lamb of God
worthy of being offered as the atoning sacrifice, for it would have amounted to violating the very first commandment.
World in its glory would anyway come to Jesus from His Father’s hands as promised
(Psalm 2:6-12/
110:1)
through the way of the cross, accepting it from Satan would be a case of accepting it from the hands,
which originally had no power or license to give the same. Again a terrible sin, which would have
instantly transformed the lamb to a beast, disqualifying him of the Savior status.
As before to this temptation also, Jesus’ reply was from the Scripture
(Deu 6:13).
As the tempter’s last proposal was so preposterous that Jesus dismissed him with Begone Satan!
The devil had stepped beyond all bounds in proposing such unutterable wickedness. Because Satan’s
present power is only God’s permission, when the Son commanded him to leave, Satan had no choice but
to obey. Therein Christ demonstrated the very sovereign power Satan wanted Him to misuse.
Prayer:
Father, enable us to face the temptations in the way your Son did – by waiting to accept all that is
good solely from Thy hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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