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He Muzzled the Roaring Lion with the Bible

Imagine the scene: Jesus Christ is face to face with the Devil. Satan is assaulting him with temptations in order to flip him or at least take his eye off the ball. But, unlike all others after Adam, this one is different. He responds differently. And, the outcome is different.

There are a few details I want to highlight. It was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus out to the wilderness (Matt. 4:1). When we read of the wilderness we would be mistaken to think of a weekend of camping in the Pacific Northwest. The idea here is not lush greenery but a desert, and not awe and wonder but dread and fear. Instead of a vacation, this is more like terrifying alienation. But not only that, he was to be tempted by Satan himself. He endured the full onslaught of the General in the Army of rebellion. He unleashed all of his tactical weapons upon the Son of God. Finally, we should notice that Jesus was in a place of physical weakness. He had fasted 40 days and nights. Rather than having everything going for him (like Adam), Jesus had everything going against him. This makes the story riveting.

Sometimes I remember what I was thinking the first time I read this passage some 20 years ago. I anticipated Jesus doing something supernatural. Or, perhaps he fighting or yelling at Satan. I didn’t know the end of the story, but I anticipated something surprising and awesome.

I was surprised, but not like I thought I would be. And it was awesome, but not like I imagined. In response to Satan’s temptations, Jesus simply quoted the Bible. And with the precision of anti-aircraft fire, he took down each of the demonic missiles with a perfect shot. This is so unexpected. It is so perfect.

In response to Satan’s temptations, Jesus simply quoted the Bible. And with the precision of anti-aircraft fire, he took down each of the demonic missiles with a perfect shot.

Jesus’s familiarity with and confidence in the Bible is striking. If anyone could’ve looked inward, pointed to a resumé, or claimed personal authority, it was Jesus. But, he didn’t. It was just the Word, the Word, the Word. He gave Satan the Scriptures. He muzzled the lion with the Bible.

One clear lesson for us here is we need to have a greater confidence in and familiarity with the Word of God. We not only need to know about it (theology, doctrine, confessions, wisdom, etc) we actually need to know it (what it actually says). The Bible must shape not only what we think but also what we say. The church needs Bible machines—men and women who deploy the Holy Scriptures with the confidence and precision of their Savior.

The Bible must shape not only what we think but also what we say. The church needs Bible machines—men and women who deploy the Holy Scriptures with the confidence and precision of their Savior.

When we spend time in the Word remember we are training to stand amid the battle that rages around us. Our time in our devotions, Bible study, meditation, and the Sunday gathering are not simply formal but formative. If we are going to be a people of the book we must give ourselves to a life that marinates in the Word.

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