The Archives Devotional Magazine June 2015 | Page 9

DAY 7
Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. After spending forty
days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. Then the Devil came to him and said, “If
you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread.” But Jesus answered, “The
scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God
speaks.’”
Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest point of the
Temple, and said to him, “If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says,
‘God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that
not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’” Jesus answered, “But the scripture also says,
‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world in all their greatness. “All this I will give you,” the Devil said, “if you kneel down and
worship me.” Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord
your God and serve only him!’” Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went away to Galilee. He did not
stay in Nazareth, but went to live in Capernaum, a town by Lake Galilee, in the territory of
Zebulun and Naphtali. This was done to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said,
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, on the road to the sea, on the other side of the
Jordan, Galilee, land of the Gentiles! The people who live in darkness will see a great light.
On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine.” From that time Jesus began
to preach his message: “Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers who were
fishermen, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, catching fish in the lake with a net.
Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” At once they left
their nets and went with him.
He went on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They
were in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them, and
at once they left the boat and their father, and went with him.
Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Good News
about the Kingdom, and healing people who had all kinds of disease and sickness. The
news about him spread through the whole country of Syria, so that people brought to him
all those who were sick, suffering from all kinds of diseases and disorders: people with
demons, and epileptics, and paralytics—and Jesus healed them all. Large crowds followed
him from Galilee and the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, Judea, and the land on the other side
of the Jordan.

Commentary
These four chapters are about Jesus’
birth , his identity as a Jew, and the
beginning of his ministry. It tells me that
God spoke to people, fulfilled prophecies,
warned and protected people, punished,
created, and was pleased with Jesus. It
says that Jesus was a descendent of King
David, was the Messiah, was born of the
Holy Spirit, was the child of Mary, saved
people from their sins, was called
Immanuel, was born in Bethlehem, was
given gifts as a baby, was sought after to
be killed, lived in Egypt, lived in Nazareth,
was baptized by John, was tempted by
Satan, was helped by angels, fulfilled
prophecies, preached to people, taught in
synagogues, and healed. It states that the
Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, was used in
baptizing people, was the Spirit of God,
appeared as a dove, and led Jesus into
the desert.
This passage of scripture says that in
life, we need every word that God speaks.
The commands in these excerpts are to
turn away from sins, don’t test God, and
worship only God. God warns Joseph
when Jesus is in danger. John warns the
Pharisees and Sadducees about the
punishment they’ll receive.
The main thing I can learn is that God
has a plan, fulfills it, rewards those who
follow his commands, and that Jesus was
a part of that plan.