Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 4:5-1 (New Living Translation)

5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please.

Perhaps the devil is boasting out of his mind. Perhaps the devil is simply lying about what he has and what he can do.

Then again, let’s consider the possibility that the devil knows what he is saying. That means that the devil has authority over all the kingdoms of the world. Not a pleasant thought, but it may explain much of human history.

Many Christians in America today are lamenting that we have lost a Christian nation to the pagans. Perhaps we have a distorted view of American history and the history of our own lives. Has Christianity had authority over America? Let’s answer carefully when we recall the crimes committed by “our nation.”

I believe that Christians have always been strangers in a strange land. We have always been on the outside of culture. I believe the Bible teaches that to us, and a candid look at history tells us the same.

Not much fun. Not too optimistic. But that is politics. As a Christian, I can shake my head at such, but the ultimate optimism is in Jesus Christ. So perhaps I should be like Jesus in this passage and not desire the kingdoms of this world and instead, as verse 8 writes,

You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.