Jesus and The Rolling Stones
Matthew 4:4 – Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. ’
The contrast between physical and spiritual, wants and needs, temporary and eternal.
When the girls were younger, they would ask for everything they saw while out shopping, no matter if it was grocery shopping or at the hardware store. I would hear this, “Daddy, I want this… Can I have one of these? Ooohhh, look at that, I want one…”
They are a little older now, and they still ask for stuff like that. Heck, I still ask for stuff like that.
But back then, and even now a little, I’ll start singing a line from a Rolling Stones song, “You can’t always get what you want.” Sometimes it makes for a good distraction. But there’s truth in that lyric.
Jesus, into his 40 day fast, was first tempted with hunger. The devil tempts him to turn stone into bread to eat, as He is the Son of God. Jesus responds with the supernatural wisdom that brings perspective.
Life is not about satiating impulses. It’s not about feeding our natural desires, but about submitting those desires and impulses to God. Jesus’ statement declared that his satisfaction came from God – His promises, His Word, His provision. A couple of chapters later, Jesus taught that God knows what we need. Look at how He takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, does God not love you more than these? No need to worry about things like that.
You can’t always get what you want = Man does not live by bread alone.
But you get what you need = But by every Word that comes from God.
Lord, I know my needs and desires take too much of a lead sometimes. Help me to turn that focus to You. My provision, Your promises. My sustenance, Your words.
