The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 4:5-7, “Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, “He will give His angels charge concerning You”; and “On their hands they will bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot against a stone.”’ 7 “Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand, it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’”

Most sports games are won when the players simply will not give up! Their problem is that their opponents have the same mind-set and are determined not to give up, either. Satan had to know that he could not win against the Son of God; yet, he was stubbornly determined not to quit.

Jerusalem was (and is) the holy city. The pinnacle was simply the highest point. Exactly where it was located is not known, but my suspicion is that it was at the edge of Mount Moriah that overlooked the Kidron valley below. In any event, it constituted the precise place for Satan’s second temptation. “If You are the Son of God –and You are (as the Greek language informs us), throw Yourself down.” Satan here purposely misquotes Psalm 91:11-12, by omitting the phrase “in all Your ways.” What Satan was tempting Jesus to do was not “in (His) way”; it was not in His best interest, and it was not His Father’s will.

Satan‘s temptations are often the strongest immediately after we have experienced something remarkable in Jesus’ service. Remember, Jesus had just been called “the Son of God,” so Satan takes this opportunity to put him to the test. Satan often attempts to fill us with pride, vanity and self-conceit just when we have had a glorious experience in the LORD’s work. He endeavors to urge us to do something that is calculated to bring us down and lead us into sin.

It has also been said that some of the most powerful temptations of Satan occur when he appears to be urging us to do something for the glory of God. He wants us to believe that God always comes to the aid of His people when they are in danger. I can drive a car as fast as I like. God will protect me. And God can; but it’s not true that the promise is for those who purposely throw themselves into danger in the effort to prove He will come to their rescue.

Once again, Jesus’ reply to Satan was from Scripture. “It has been written and remains so, you shall not put the LORD your God to the test.” This emphasizes how vitally important Scripture is! So when you are tempted to do wrong, look to the Word of God in Scripture. “Feed,” as it were, the Holy Spirit with Scripture. It and prayer are the only way to nourish your spiritual life, and stay in the good graces of Almighty God. May He ever keep us close to Himself where we are safe.

Lovingly and prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”