. . .from the mouth of God

I love the Temptation Narrative of Jesus. I love that immediately after Jesus is baptized, right after God confirms that this is his one and only son, the Spirit leads him into the desert to be tempted. We like to think of faith as a bubble that insulates us from hardship, but often faith leads up into hardship. Anyway, that isn't what jumped off the page for me today.

In Mt 4:4, Jesus responds to the first temptation by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3.  He echoes Moses' reminder that what sustains humanity is not food, but the word of God. But, I noticed something new this time. Look at the exact words Jesus says.

But He answered and said, "It is written, `MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.' " 

I don't think I'm alone in generally understanding this as scripture.  I think that is certainly the most consistent way that God speaks to his people.  I wouldn't be reading through the NT again if I didn't believe that. However, God didn't stop speaking when John finished writing Revelation. God not only continues to speak, but he speaks in all kinds of ways. Just back up a couple of chapters.  God speaks to Joseph through a dream.  God speaks to the Magi through astrology. God speaks to John the Baptist through a dove and an audible voice. God spoke to the first disciples through the physical person of Jesus.

God desires a relationship with us so much that he is willing to use whatever it takes to connect with us. And if our God is willing to use things like astrology to reach people with the good news, perhaps we should widen our view.  God has brought us to a point where we are convinced that anything short of sin is fair game when reaching out to hurting people with the love and grace of Jesus.