“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hand, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil…” – Isaiah 33:15
Scripture reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Only this Man can enter the new Zion and dwell in the presence of God’s holy fire. It is noteworthy that the verbs in this verse refer to a singular, individual man. Jesus Christ is this Man of righteousness.
His walk is righteous; surely Jesus Christ kept God’s will, never straying to the left or the right. He came to do His Father’s will and He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17) that He had accomplished that work.
Jesus’ speech was righteous; He proclaimed God’s glory and God’s Word. Jesus knew what was in the heart of man, but did not shrink from proclaiming the whole counsel of God. He said to Satan, “It is written”; He would not allow Satan to twist and stretch God’s Word of truth.
Jesus was tempted and bribed by the devil in Matthew 4 when the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness. Satan offered Jesus food, personal safety and the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rejected these temptations and did not sin.
If Jesus had failed the temptations in the wilderness, bloodshed is what would have ensued, for that is what Satan wanted: the eternal condemnation of all people. Jesus’ righteousness was necessary to save us.
Finally, Jesus never sinned through His eyes. Rather, Hebrews 12:2 calls Jesus “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Suggestions for prayer
Give thanks to the Lord that even though Jesus was tempted as Adam was, He did not sin. Praise the Lord for the last Adam Who is our life-giving spirit.
Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
