Title: “IF 2”

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Matthew 27:40

A look at this two letter word used by the devil first at the beginning of Jesus earthly ministry yesterday revealed the strategies of the devil. Jesus rather than fall for the temptation continued to fight the war of doubtful minds even on the cross.

The devil refused to be defeated but saw the way to the cross as an opportunity to wage his unfinished war. The crowd He ministered to doubted His claim of being the Son of God. Hence, they wanted to see Him come down from the cross as a sign of who He says He is before believing Him. If He could destroy the temple, they thought He might easily come down from the cross.

“If” is a word of ridicule and the soldiers used it to ridicule Him, saying, “If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” Luke 23:37. Jesus could save Himself but the truth is that He would not have saved the world. Even a man at the point of death was also used by the devil to try to derail Him from saving you and I. One of the thieves on the cross said in Luke 23: 39 “…If thou be Christ, save thyself and us”

Are you always taunted by the devil? Has he challenged your position and authority in Christ? Never listen to him, he just want to get you off the road to eternal life. Jesus ignored the taunting of various people and focused on the cross because He knew He was and is the son of God.



Prayer: Lord Jesus, make way for me in every way the enemies are ridiculing me in order to draw me from you.