"The devil made me do it"

Luke 4:1-2

Most of us would not know Clerow Wilson, yet many of us would recall Flip Wilson the great comedian who was a big hit in the 1970’s.  Flip was a story teller and some of his characters were, Reverend Leroy, materialistic pastor of the "Church of What’s Happening Now," and his most popular character, Geraldine Jones who always referred to her boyfriend, "Killer" whose line "The devil made me do it" became a national catchphrase.   Flip did not come to this line and character without some help, its origin was from Genesis 3:13, where Eve tells God it was not my fault it was the serpent.   Now I have no doubt you recall that serpent being referred to as the devil in Revelation 12:9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

I know history repeats itself and that most of us humans learn little from it, but it seems as if in 2015 we are not to blame for anything, it was our culture, our parents, our lack of money, our education, and the list is so long, but it was not our fault.

Take a moment to look at the account of Jesus after His public baptism, we are told in both Matthew and Luke that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.  In that none of us have been or ever will be God in the Flesh, it is hard to grasp Jesus not depending on His Godhood, but totally relying on the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Mark’s gospel does not go into the detail that Luke and Matthew have, but look at Mark 1:12-13, “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”  The Spirit drove Him out into the wilderness, we have all had some kind of wilderness experience, not like Jesus, but we understand what it is to experience the wilderness, but to be driven to it by God when He has just proclaimed to the world; “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Something of great importance is happening, God is allowing that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world to have access to His Son at the beginning of His coming out party.  His Father has just told all the rulers, the authorities, and the cosmic powers over this present darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places, the angels and John the Baptist,  “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Jesus the Son of Man, the one that stepped out of heaven and became flesh and blood had to be at an emotional high, He has been waiting for 30 years that is not correct, He has been waiting from the foundation of the earth.  This truth blows my small mind away; Jesus chose to be my Redeemer before He created me!

I’ve learned through many a bought lesson that after a great victory one should be very careful, and that is especially true in spiritual victories.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice