#20 Luke 4:5-8 Worship the Lord Your God

On May 23, 2021 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode#20 Luke 4:5-8

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy: I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
Christgazing is the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. This podcast is just one small tool to help us make room to do that. Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider who God is and what he wants us to know. Last week, we stepped into a series that will take us through the words of Jesus as found in the book of Luke.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy: Before Joy brings us today’s verses, take 45 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be gratitude, anger, peace, or frustration. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 45 seconds.

[Pause and pour out]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy: I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 4:5-8 The devil led Jesus up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Again?

Luke 4:5-8 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God? About Jesus? About the Holy Spirit?”

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy: As I read the scripture again, consider the questions: What does this passage tell you about people or about the devil?

Take a few moments to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about people or about the devil?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?

Joy: As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good father. God wants you to know him better. He never condemns or belittles but rather, he is the lifter of our heads.

Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May you also turn your face toward his and know he alone is worthy of your worship.

One Response

Amy:
After God brought the Israelites out from underneath Egyptian bondage, he led them to the wilderness. There, as written in Deuteronomy 5:4, God spoke to the people face to face out of the fire on the mountain saying, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.”

I feel God is giving us an abundance of freedom and power here. We are slave to no one. We do not have to bow down to any strange thought or authority. We do not have to submit to any tempting voice because we have everything we want and need in our God, who shares his passion for us in Deuteronomy 5:29 when he exclaims, “Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” Oh, may we remember today that God is for us!

Closing

Amy: Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. We leave you with our familiar closing, word which feed the hungry heart, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.