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“Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” – Matthew 4:10
In the early 1930’s the world watched as a man rose in Germany to become the leader of the Third Reich. His name was Adolf Hitler and he demanded the respect and obedience of every individual in Germany at the time. He was worshipped by millions as a Supreme Being above mortal man. Many believed he had the power over life and death, that even the weather was within his control. Their confidence in him as their leader was so strong that they believed they could never be defeated as long as he was alive. With a mandatory salute of respect, “Heil Hitler”, the people worshipped him where ever he went, and whenever he was in the public eye.
In China, Mao Zedung is described as the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. He rose to power through revolutionary tactics, and ruled over China from the 1950’s through his death in 1976. He is seen by many as the savior of China and people come from all over China each year to visit his mausoleum. His photo hangs in many businesses, public areas and most homes across the large populous country still to this day. He was a ruthless dictator that ruled China with a ferocious fist, but was loved and worshipped by the masses while doing so, “For the betterment of China”.
In America, Presidents are often held on high regard and worshipped in a manner which separates them from the general population. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and even our current President Obama have all been regarded men above the norm. We line the streets, push and shove and do everything we can to actually see them in person as if they were worthy of our praise and worship.
In England, the world watches and people praise the new born Prince George. Women are seen crying tears of joy at his first public appearance. The people crowd the palace to see the one who might deliver them from their current state of life today, anticipating his future reign as a change for the better.
How are we any different today than the Philistines, the Amorites, the Persians and the Babylonians and other societies of the Old Testament who worshipped their King, their god rather than the One and only God. In the 21st century we are filled with desire and passion for things that stand between us and God Almighty. Examples include: money, cars, celebrities, lust, religion, relationships, selfishness and pride. We serve and worship things and people and minimize the single focal point of all things – God, the Father.
Is Baal alive and well in the 21st century world. Absolutely, but we are so blinded by our self- righteousness we don’t even see the connection to the ancient world. We claim Christianity and a love of Jesus Christ, yet stand by while the world destroys the very name of the one we claim to serve. We are more interested in how we are getting ahead in life and succeeding in the eyes of those around us than we are in the eyes of the Lord.
Who do you serve? Who do you worship? What does it mean to you to become a worshiper of God alone?
These words of Jesus Christ to Satan are words that should be followed by every man, woman and child from here to eternity. Yet, I fear that most of us have succumbed to the tempter by allowing our inner desire for personal gain to cloud our vision. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate exactly where you are going in this life and why.
In China, Mao Zedung is described as the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. He rose to power through revolutionary tactics, and ruled over China from the 1950’s through his death in 1976. He is seen by many as the savior of China and people come from all over China each year to visit his mausoleum. His photo hangs in many businesses, public areas and most homes across the large populous country still to this day. He was a ruthless dictator that ruled China with a ferocious fist, but was loved and worshipped by the masses while doing so, “For the betterment of China”.
In America, Presidents are often held on high regard and worshipped in a manner which separates them from the general population. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and even our current President Obama have all been regarded men above the norm. We line the streets, push and shove and do everything we can to actually see them in person as if they were worthy of our praise and worship.
In England, the world watches and people praise the new born Prince George. Women are seen crying tears of joy at his first public appearance. The people crowd the palace to see the one who might deliver them from their current state of life today, anticipating his future reign as a change for the better.
How are we any different today than the Philistines, the Amorites, the Persians and the Babylonians and other societies of the Old Testament who worshipped their King, their god rather than the One and only God. In the 21st century we are filled with desire and passion for things that stand between us and God Almighty. Examples include: money, cars, celebrities, lust, religion, relationships, selfishness and pride. We serve and worship things and people and minimize the single focal point of all things – God, the Father.
Is Baal alive and well in the 21st century world. Absolutely, but we are so blinded by our self- righteousness we don’t even see the connection to the ancient world. We claim Christianity and a love of Jesus Christ, yet stand by while the world destroys the very name of the one we claim to serve. We are more interested in how we are getting ahead in life and succeeding in the eyes of those around us than we are in the eyes of the Lord.
Who do you serve? Who do you worship? What does it mean to you to become a worshiper of God alone?
These words of Jesus Christ to Satan are words that should be followed by every man, woman and child from here to eternity. Yet, I fear that most of us have succumbed to the tempter by allowing our inner desire for personal gain to cloud our vision. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate exactly where you are going in this life and why.
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