TEXT:
‘He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do’ (John 6:6 MSG).
How did Jesus respond with the right reaction in every time of testing and confrontation? It was due to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. He promised the same help for us too, ‘Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit’ (Mark 13:11 NLT).
In Luke Chapter 4, there are several times when “But” was a correct and positive reaction to a situation, and Today’s Teaching considers these.
1. When fighting temptation – ‘And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” (v3-4)
Sometimes we don’t resist temptation because we want to yield to it, and we think it will not matter if we do. Not so Jesus! ‘This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned’ (Hebrews 4:15 TLB).
The first temptation of Satan was met with a firm “But” by Jesus, who quoted God’s Word. If we use “But” like Jesus did, when the devil tries to tempt us, it will make it much easier to resist any other temptations that follow.
2. When experiencing persecution and rejection – ‘Well, let me tell you something: No prophet is ever welcomed in his hometown. Isn’t it a fact that there were many widows in Israel at the time of Elijah during that three and a half years of drought when famine devastated the land, but the only widow to whom Elijah was sent was in Sarepta in Sidon? And there were many lepers in Israel at the time of the prophet Elisha but the only one cleansed was Naaman the Syrian’ (v25-26 MSG).
When Jesus said, “But only the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian got any help from God”, it enraged the congregation so much, they tried to throw Him off the cliff. His was a right response, even though it got Him into trouble.
As a young Christian, I remember a minister preaching a sermon entitled the “But we” people. The point of his sermon was people can resist the moving of the Holy Spirit, saying, “But we do it this way”, preferring to hang on to their religious tradition and the way they have always done things. Jesus said, ‘But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honour his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition’ (Matthew 15:5).
Sometimes we have to say what’s difficult, particularly knowing it’s likely to produce hostility. Let’s make sure we say it in the right way, not with a judgmental spirit.
3. When confronting demon-possession – ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him’ (v34-35)
Notice how terrified the demons were of Jesus. It’s strange then, when Christians live in fear of the devil and demons. The Bible says, ‘Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7). Who me? I hear you say. Yes, You! See too, how Jesus resisted the temptation to enter into lengthy conversations with demons. When they tried to create a disturbance, He simply commanded them to be quiet and come out!
4. When facing sickness and disease – ‘Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them’ (v38-39).
When Jesus entered Simon Peter’s house, his mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a high fever. But they told Him about the situation, and He dealt with it. Rebuking the fever, it immediately left her, and she was able to get up and start caring for all the guests.
Why is it we are quick to tell people about our sicknesses and disabilities, but never mention them to Jesus? Perhaps it’s because we don’t believe He can do anything, or we’re a victim of the deception which believes we should think more about others and not burden the Lord with our own needs. Who knows what might happen when, by faith, we bring the impossible to the One who can do the impossible!
5. When reaching out to others with the gospel – ‘But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places too, for that is why I was sent”’ (v43 TLB).
The crowds tried to stop Jesus from leaving, but He knew there were other places that needed Him too. The gospel is for everyone, everywhere. Don’t just stay in one place, within the safety of the circle of your friends. Move out and move on. Try to share your faith somewhere else and to someone new. Why not consider a new sport or a new hobby for example, to create a new area to share the gospel in? If possible, take different routes to and from work, to “bump into” new people to evangelise. This is one of the reasons why I play golf and Jenny goes to the leisure centre.
Don’t be a church that tries to hang on to their minister when God is clearly calling them to go elsewhere. Nor be a minister who won’t leave the comfort and security of an established church to pioneer a new one.
The Apostle Paul simply put it like this, ‘Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him’ (1 Corinthians 9:22 TLB). Now that is something everyone of us can do!
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