Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Matthew 4:8-9 [NIV]
My family elected to ascend Snowdon by the Llanberris path, never having followed that route before. Before the mist descended, it afforded the most breath-taking views down the valley, houses, rivers, farms, and huge piles of discarded slate from the now defunct quarry workings. At times the Snowdon Mountain railway ran alongside the path, the carriages filled with curious tourists relying on the engine’s steam power rather than their own steam to reach the summit. Watching them being hauled up the mountain made us weary walkers feel morally superior! They certainly didn’t deserve the Tshirt!
There are hard ways to do things and there are easier ways. During the time of preparation for his ministry, Jesus spent 40 days in isolation in the inhospitable desert without nourishment or human company. And just when he was approaching the limits of his physical endurance, he was tested. From the height of the mountain he was shown the kingdoms of the earth spread out before him. Jesus could have accepted power and world dominance by transferring his allegiance away from God – the easy way - but even in his weakened state, it was a compromise he could not make, so he took the hard way.
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Jesus said. Matthew 4:10b [NIV]
For prayer:
Do you recall a time when you succumbed to pressure, maybe stress, tiredness, emotional persuasion – and took the easy way out, perhaps even doing the wrong thing? Share your struggle with God.
Mairi Mowbray
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