I know that I feel pressure sometimes. . . pressure in most areas of my life – like many of you. In fact, I actually thrive on pressure, but I never want pressure from others (peers, girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, authority, parents, friends, teachers, coaches, boss) to DETERMINE who and what I become. . . . I can only trust Jesus for that. . .

Dr. Bob Laurent spoke last night about Satan’s temptations in the desert to Jesus in a new way from the perspective of whom Jesus wanted to become. . .

#1  - Stone to Bread: This was a temptation to be the People’s Messiah - because such a miracle would convince people that He was the Christ – it would fulfill their expectations.

#2  – Jumping from the Temple: This was a temptation to be the Torah’s Messiah – fulfilling scriptures to the point where the religious leaders would believe that He was the Christ – it would fulfill their expectations.

#3  – Authority over Kingdoms of the Earth: This was a temptation to be the Kingly Messiah - that could wield power and authority and control. . . . so that all would obey His expectations of them.

So, why did He turn all of these down?  Because He wanted only to fulfill the expectations of his Father. . . . He became the Suffering Messiah. . . . . not so much concerned with obedience or the expectations of people or religious leaders, but focusing on eliciting love, which can only happen. . . . . by loving. . . which takes passion. . . . which takes being connected to suffering. . . and yes, . . . that was his CHOICE. . . . remember –

You see, . . . for Jesus to save others, he couldn’t save Himself. . . . . the same truth can be found in our lives. . . . . for you to save your marriage, you can’t save yourself. . . . for you to save your family, you can’t save yourself. . . . for you to save your friends, you can’t save yourself. . . . . . . . . . . we can’t have it both ways. . . . . what we want . . . . and what someone else needs. . . . this is the essence of submission and servanthood. . . . . . this is the essence of Christ

so, things/desires/selfishness in our lives that come from pressures in this world to be this or that. . . let’s choose the radical way. . . let’s die to self. . . . . . . . . . . seriously. . . . . .and watch what happens!