[Great Verses] Jesus, the Son Made ManSample

How to defeat the enemy

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Like a wounded bear enraged, he keeps charging. Jesus’s attacker, the devil, charges again and again, claws bared. Three times he attacks. Each time Jesus fights him off. Each time Jesus resists the bear. Each time Jesus stands firm, unyielding, and unmovable. The devil questions Jesus’s position as the Son of God. Then, the devil quotes Scripture deceptively. Then, he offers Jesus the world. And how does Jesus fight back? What weapon does Jesus wield? His sword, sharp and deadly. The sword of the Spirit, God’s piercing Word.

Three times Jesus answers, “It is written.” The wounded bear, enraged, will come after you. He will tempt, accuse, lie, deceive, and bluster. Be ready. Stand firm, resist, and fight him off. Jesus teaches us how to fight the battle. Know the scriptures. Quote the scriptures. Obey the scriptures. Wield your sword, sharp and deadly, for the battle rages on, and to be victorious, you too must stand on God’s Word. Know it. Study it. Memorize it. Cite it. Obey it. Treasure it. This book is your lifeline.

God loves to use ordinary people. When Jesus chooses the twelve disciples, he begins with four fishermen. Not scholars, not rabbis, not priests. Fishermen. Peter and Andrew, along with James and John, drop everything and follow Jesus:

They follow Jesus immediately.

They follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

They follow Jesus unreservedly.

They follow Jesus with glad and full hearts.

They follow Jesus without reservations or conditions.

They follow Jesus not knowing where he will take them.

They follow Jesus no matter the costs of following him.

These are the kind of followers Jesus is still looking for—not casual, half-hearted followers living for themselves, but fully devoted followers living for their King. Going for broke. Going all out for their Savior. Jesus does not tell you, “Go make yourself a fisher of men.” No, your job is simply to follow Jesus with all your heart. Fall in love with Jesus, and he will make you a fisher of men.