The Opportune Time
Well, what did you expect? Has anyone ever offered that line to you when it was clear that the outcome you saw or experienced was directly tied to your or someone's previous actions? If we pay attention and learn from our mistakes, hopefully it is said less about us and more about the less experienced soul just getting started in life. However, it is worth pausing and considering that as followers of Christ, we may need reminded that we should expect no better or worse treatment from others and even from the enemy than Jesus experienced.
You know the story of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness those 40 days. Matthew tells us that after the third temptation, Jesus told the devil to be gone and then the angels came and ministered to him. But have you ever noticed the last line in Luke’s account? "And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." Interesting to note that even when dealing with the son of God, the enemy was relentless. Oh, he takes a pause from time to time, waiting for a new vulnerable moment, but he does not relent. As followers of Christ, regardless of our length of service in God's kingdom or our title or status, the enemy waits for the opportune time. That's the first thing to expect.
Second, we can expect that when we have victory over an enemy attack, we are filled with the power of the Spirit. Luke tells us that Jesus returned from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit and began his public ministry that we know led first to local and later the world.
The press release of Jesus’ public ministry caught the media off guard. There was no warning it would be this particular day, and it happened in the middle of customary behavior by Jesus. His entire life he went to synagogue and certainly had read the scrolls before, but this day he walked to the front and read a verse from Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
He rolled up the scroll and handed it back to the attendant. The eyes of the room were on him, and then he said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
After victory over the enemy, filled with the power of the Spirit, clarity of his mission was announced, and Jesus began his work. As followers of Christ, as his body on earth today, our mission is exactly the same and should be lived out in exactly the same manner. Just go on with your daily, customary behavior, knowing that along today's journey the routine includes: proclaiming good news to the poor, proclaiming liberty to the captives, clarity of sight to the spiritually blind, and freedom to those who are trapped by life's burdens and addictions.
And when we follow Jesus, we can expect another outcome. Just like it was for Jesus, we will have some who get excited and join in and others who will sit and criticize, maybe even attack us for doing good.
Don't forget all of the customary behaviors as you start your day. Take a moment alone with God and then get on with it. We have some restoration and renewal to do today.
Father, today we thank you for the example of Jesus who showed us how we can be victorious over the temptations of the enemy. Thank you for always coming to our rescue as we turn to you in times of temptation and stress. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in us and gives us the power to push beyond temptation and empowers our ministry. Today we move forward trusting you to guide us, protect us, and allows us to make your name famous. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 4:10-11; Luke 4:12-15, 20-21 ESV
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