They’re standing on a mountain, overlooking the kingdoms of the world, and Satan is asking Jesus a question:
"Jesus, do you really want all that (the cross) when you could be having all this (the delights of the world)?"
I can just picture him standing in his Carol Merrill pose, highlighting the delights that could be had if only Jesus were to worship him.
Unfortunately, he asks the same question of us. Right in front of the bakery or the ice cream shop or the kitchen cupboard.
Would you really rather have all that (diets and boundaries) when you could be having all this (the delights of the shelves)?
Good question.
Why would we want boundaries when eating whatever-we-want-whenever-we-want sounds a lot more appealing?
Jesus tells us why in Matthew 4:10: Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’
Jesus knew that if He wanted to do the Father’s will, He had to put God first.
Which meant He had to put everything else second.
If we want to do the Father’s will, we have to do the same.
Jesus asks us: Are you willing to give up everything for me? Are you willing to hold all things with open hands—even food?
He hopes we'll say yes.
Boundaries are a way of saying yes.
Because when we allow boundaries into our lives, we’re essentially saying, Here, Lord, I’m willing to hold food with open hands.
I want you more.
Thought for the day: Are you holding food with open hands?
Scripture for the day: Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 10:34-39
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