Reading for July 3 is Luke 4-5... My thoughts on this reading... One truth about temptation which we see during Jesus' temptation as well, is that it often comes at our moment of greatest need, and attacks at that particular need. In Jesus case, it is in the throes of hunger that Satan attempts to get Jesus to doubt God. You will note that the order of the temptations differ a little between Matthew and Luke. Mark doesn't give us details on the temptations themselves. The difference in the order isn't a major issue, they both have the same three temptations, and its likely that Matthew had heard it from Jesus and Luke had researched it and gotten the information from one of the other disciples. In each case, it is God's Word that wins the day! We know that while the devil ends this time of tempting, it was something that would continue through His ministry. As Jesus begins His ministry, He begins in Galilee, though He isn't accepted in His own home town. Note that Jesus did not choose the scroll of Isaiah, though He knew the passage which points to the Messiah and quotes from it. Even when He applies it to Himself, they are amazed at His gracious words and aren't upset. It's not until he mentions Gentiles who God had provided for, did they become outraged and attempt to kill him. We don't know exactly how, other than the text says He passed through the crowd. Was it because of the chaotic situation? Or did they simply fear Him enough not to do anything at the moment? Jesus then goes on to heal a man with an unclean demon, once more requiring them not to reveal who He is, mainly because of the misunderstanding of who the Messiah would be and what His purpose was and what He would bring to God's people. Most were looking for a political Messiah, not a spiritual one. After healing many, Jesus moves into other areas of Galilee and the surrounding areas. In Chapter 5, Jesus begins to call His first disciples. Simon, a well seasoned fisherman knows that to go back out in the morning after a long night of fishing and catching nothing will be a futile venture, but at Jesus' request puts back out and lets down the nets. When he sees the tremendous catch, he knows that this is no ordinary event, and he humbly asks Jesus to depart as he knows that he is a sinful man. Despite Peter's request, Jesus calls him and other others to follow Him and become fishers of men. As we hear of Jesus healing a leper, we see Jesus dealing with a person who for all practical purposes in that day had a life that was over in the eyes of the the world and others. Yet while touching a leper would make one unclean, the opposite happens instead, as the leper is cleansed and Jesus is not make unclean. The next healing of a paralytic is remarkable for a couple reasons. One, you can't help but love the dedication of the friends, and what a scene that must have been as they tore through the roof to lower the man down. Second, Jesus points to the greater need first, forgiveness, not healing. But to prove that He can do both, He heals the man first to give an indication that He had taken care of the greater need of forgiveness already. I think the other major point is the faith of the friends, for it is their faith which the Lord points to as He heals the man. Jesus then calls Levi, who's name of course is changed to Matthew and He makes it clear His purpose is to come for those who are in need, and those who fell they have no need for what Jesus offers, are left looking in. Jesus came for sinners, and if you didn't feel you were a sinner, why would you need a Savior. How wrong the scribes were! The chapter closes with Jesus being asked about fasting and then sharing a parable about putting new things on old, which of course causes a major problem, in garments and wineskins. Essentially what Jesus is telling them is that new things are happening, and they are not ready to receive it because they are stuck in the old concept of works righteousness and earning God's favor by what you do, rather than by the grace that Jesus is bringing.