If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NKJV.

This, Matthew 4, is an amazing chapter. Right after baptism, Jesus, the Son, is led to the desert to face the temptations and trials that are the only things this broken world can offer. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Psalm 91:11, 12). Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will bow down and worship me.” Jesus answered him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” (Deuteronomy 6:13). All Satan needed to do was to ask Eve, “Did God really say…” (Genesis 3:1). He loves to introduce doubt in God, which leads to fear. And all the kingdoms of this world bound in the lies of Satan could not deceive Jesus, the Son and Creator God. Do we trust Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, for His provision? Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him. When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1, 2). From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” v. 11-17. And then as Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He called Simon and Andrew and James and John, fishermen, saying, “Come, follow Me and I will send you out to fish for people.” v. 18-22. The first disciples Jesus called. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and He healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him. v. 23-25. Can you imagine the hope and incredulity these people experienced as Jesus healed them and those they loved? And the teaching! Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near! What about us? The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. That light is the Love of Creator God. As we walk with Him, He shows us how to live the way of Life that is with Him and it is Good! And we learn how to trust in His provision for everything. How can we not? It takes time to reach that point where you trust God for everything because we are so afraid to let go of control we never had. We are afraid of the shadow of death. So we keep trying to do everything in our own strength and wisdom. No wonder we are so lost! We live in a world darkened by hate…all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. Jesus knew better. So can we. The people living when Jesus, the Son, walked this earth with us, saw a great light…the love of Creator God. So can we! Trust Him enough to take His hand and learn from Him. He’s here. Always! He will show you what God’s love is that no darkness can take away. There will still be the darkness of this world until Jesus returns; but walking with Him – we follow as He leads and trust in His provision, the only provision that leads to Life lived with Him. Just as the people then trusted Jesus to heal them and those they loved, so too can we trust Jesus to bring healing to our hearts and minds and in His timing and provision, to every heart and mind willing to trust Him.