Matthew 4: It is Written

Over on my 'other blog', Red Letter Systematic, I've been slowly working through the words of Jesus. Thus far, to my shame, I've only managed to share as far in part way through Matthew Chapter 5, and I've not posted since the 30th of September! My study has continued, however, and I'm intending to get back on the wagon properly as we approach Christmas and I restart the 'Jesus' series of posts.

This post, then, is linked to my other project. I've noticed that Jesus, in various places in his teaching ministry, employs the phrase "It is written". This is especially noticeable in Matthew Chapter 4, the temptation of Jesus. In my Red Letter Post on it, I observed a few things, but these bear repeating.

There is a great trend in Christianity today - a good and noble trend - to return to Christianity as Jesus did it. Said it. Taught it. Lived it. Too often, though, this is set up as defining Jesus in opposition to Orthodox Historical Christianity, or defining Jesus in opposition to Scripture (particularly the bits that we find culturally difficult). What we do, my contention is, when we focus exclusively on Jesus to the exclusion of the rest of scripture, is actually miss what Jesus said. I repeat, if we make our faith solely about Jesus, we miss out on what Jesus said. You can't be a Christian without Jesus - but if your faith and practice is based solely on the words of Jesus, then it will be lacking.

Jesus is directly tempted by the Devil. Its a radical concept, and alien and perhaps even unbelievable to many Western readers. But its stated matter of fact, and so it would seem that we are to listen carefully to what goes on. Some forms of Christianity - even those in the secularised West - over-emphasise the Devil's work, to the detriment of the Victory of the Cross which is at the heart of the biblical Gospel. Others under-emphasise, the equal and opposite error. The New Testament doesn't give space for either position, it is a matter of fact, naturally-supernatural report of goings on. 

Depending on one's own predjudices or position, you might think that Jesus would engage with the Devil in a certain way. But the way Jesus responds, in every case, is to say "It is Written". He then quotes Scripture. Even when the Devil quotes Scripture - because as a created, fallen angel he is as aware of the Word and Rule of God as Christians are - Jesus responds with Scripture. Because Scripture is important, powerful, timeless, and always relevant.

When the Devil tempts Jesus with food, the Bible takes the form of food, as a weapon;

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"

When the Devil tempts Jesus with a challenge, the Bible takes the form of matter of fact response; needed and contextual wisdom;

"You shall not put the Lord your God to the test"

When the Devil tempts Jesus with power, the Bible takes the form of life-purpose, a weapon against such temptation;

"You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve".

Then the Devil left.

Jesus used Scripture to fight three battles. The battle of practical provision, the battle of testing God, and the battle of power and worthiness. Scripture equipped the Son of God to stand firm against temptation. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Scripture equips us to stand firm against temptation. And worldly struggles. And alternative powers. And false teachings.

This little phrase, "It is Written" is a tiny hint of the power of Scripture. The weapons used in the desert by Jesus to send the devil away were little nuggets of Gods word. Today has been a somewhat frustrating day in the Creedy household. Unemployed for a few months now, we have been told that we will probably have to stop doing our Discipleship Year at church if we want to keep getting benefit from the Government. Our boiler broke down, so we are liable to smell and freeze. Bills arrive. I got bumped off my bike. Compared to some these troubles are minimal. But we serve a big God. I was challenged to read out loud a part of Ephesians 1. This, not my joblessness, or my cold, or my relative (especially given that I live in the West, and write this on a nice laptop etc) poverty, is what defines me. Through nothing of my own, but instead the amazing, eternal grace of God. I know this, because It, Is, Written...

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 

 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." 

- Ephesians 1, ESV