Scripture to Read: Matthew 2, 4
Today we enter the New Testament and examine how the word “worship” is used in the context of God’s Word. The term “worship” is only used fourteen times in all four Gospels combined. “Worship” is used five times in Matthew, once in Mark, twice in Luke, and six in John. The references to “worship” in Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all tied together. The Scriptures we focus on today are Matthew 4:9–10 and Luke 4:7–8. Both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke record how Satan tempted Jesus after Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights. Satan tempts Jesus with all of the kingdoms of the world, and Satan tells Jesus that if He will bow down and worship Satan, Satan will give Him all of these kingdoms. The fact that Satan tempted Jesus with something Jesus actually created (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 8:6) is rather amazing, but nevertheless, that is what Satan did. Jesus’s response is awesome and, of course, all of Jesus’s responses to Satan are an incredible example for us. Jesus overcame Satan by quoting the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12). So, Jesus told Satan, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only,” quoting from Deuteronomy 6:13 and Deuteronomy 10:20. We are only to worship our Creator/King and not anyone or anything in or of this world. Our Lord alone deserves our worship and service no matter what the world offers us.
Challenge & Application
· How are you guarding your heart from worshipping the stuff of this life and instead worshipping God and Him alone each day?
· How does Jesus’s example of using Scripture inspire you to memorize His Word so you overcome temptations the same way?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!