Tag: Son of God

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Remember who he is and who you are

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Matthew 3 and 4.

In no time at all (just a few verses) the reassuring voice from heaven that declares, “This is my beloved son” (Matthew 3:17) is challenged by the tempter’s words, “If you are the son of God…” (4:3,6). In other words, prove it. Lemme see what you can do. Let’s see if you’re the real deal.

How often do we feel the need to prove ourselves? How often do we want those around us to see what we’ve accomplished and what we’ve accumulated. From standing on a swimming pool diving board shouting, “Watch me” to social media posts that amplify our simple lives to look amazing, we’re out to show the world we’re the real deal. We’ve got it together.

You know, if you know who you are, you’ve got nothing to prove. Jesus didn’t take the bait. He didn’t have to prove anything. He knew who he was. He heard it from the big guy himself.

Jesus deflects the devil’s temptations with simple basic verses from Deuteronomy.

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

“‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.’”

If we were to daily keep those words in mind, it would give us a proper frame of reference. That Old Covenant stuff is still useful. Don’t expect to pull it out when temptation comes. You’re not that good. Get it in front of you early in the day, so that you remember who God is, and you don’t forget who God is.

Let’s make sure the devil has his hands full with those who are full of God’s word!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

His last miracle

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Ryan Olson on Unsplash

A “through the Bible” devotion from Isaiah 50.

“I clothe the heavens with blackness
    and make sackcloth their covering.” (Isaiah 50:3)

God speaks those words through the prophet Isaiah to people who must have forgotten his power to save, dry up bodies of water (like the Red Sea), or darken the sky (like one of the plagues).

Later, Jesus would find himself immersed in darkness from noon till 3 in the afternoon, when he breathed his last on the cross and died. I never thought of this before, but since he’s the son of God, he created that supernatural three hours of darkness. It was the last miracle of Jesus’ public ministry, foretold long before by Isaiah.

That darkness is an indication that things were going according to plan, not spinning out of control. When Jesus seemed to be helpless and powerless, he was preaching with that unusual darkness, making a powerful point. The judgment of God was real and it was fully released on the one who deserved it the least. Jesus, the righteous one, was suffering the wrath of God for sin, in place of all those (all of us) who deserve it.

“By him all things were created” (Colossians 1:16), including light and darkness, day and night, the heavens and the earth. The one who can blot out the sun and can also blot out your sins. The one who clothes the heaven with blackness can also clothe us with his righteousness. The one who covers the skies with sackcloth can adorn us with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.

Never for a moment, even in death, underestimate his power, his mercy, and his love.

Posted in Lent devotions

Sometimes you just know

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Scenes from the passion” Lent devotions for Friday, April 2, 2021. Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash.

And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)

The centurion simply witnessed Jesus’ death and he knew. Without hearing one parable or witnessing one miracle, he knew. Without the testimony of scripture or an angelic announcement, he knew. This was not just a man. This one was divine. He had to be the Son of God.

Continue reading “Sometimes you just know” →