Changed landscape

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. — Matthew 4:1

I love my garden. But living in the Midwestern US during winter reduces my beautiful garden to a frozen, snow-covered, barren landscape.

It wasn’t like that in Eden. Eden was a breathtakingly beautiful garden year-round. And it was in that garden that Adam and Eve basked in the stunning creation of God and the joy of perfect harmony with Him and with each other. Until, that is, Satan arrived on the scene, bringing weeds, thorns, destruction, and death.

You can’t help but notice the contrast between the landscape in Genesis 1 and Matthew 4. The same tempter who once entered God’s garden now welcomes God to his turf — the dangerous, barren wilderness.

The wilderness can be a picture of what the world — and life — becomes when Satan has his way. With one decisive blow, the joy of Eden was replaced with the barrenness of shame (Gen. 3). But Jesus was victorious on Satan’s turf! (Matt. 4). In that victory He gives us hope that we too can have victory. A victory that shows us the enemy no longer holds sway. A victory that assures us the day is coming when we will no longer toil in Satan’s wilderness but will be ushered into heaven, where the joy of Eden will be ours — forever.

Now that’s something to look forward to!   — Joe Stowell

There’s victory o’er Satan and sin’s dark shame,

Look only to Jesus, there’s power in His name,

The devil can’t harm you or cause you to sin,

When you trust the Savior, the victory you’ll win.            — Anon.

READ: Matthew 4:1-11

As you journey through the wilderness of temptation, Christ’s victory is yours.

The Bible in one year:

• Daniel 1-2

• 1 John 4