Thinking About Today's Scripture Readings

Thinking aloud, so to speak...

What do these passages have in common?

The message that there are no shortcuts, and never have been, and never will be, possibly even unto ages of ages, etc. Even God doesn't take any shortcuts!

Why/how is that good news?

I don't know, but somehow, apparently, it is!
***


Ephesians 6:10-17 (Epistle, Saturday After)
10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...

Matthew 4:1-11 (Gospel, Saturday After)

1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "
5
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6
and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
7
Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "
8
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
10
Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "
11
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Luke 13:18-29 (Gospel)
18
Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19
It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.
20
And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."