Coming back from the heights
St. Matthew, in the last part of Chapter 3 and the first 17 verses of Chapter 4, describes a sequence of momentous events in the life of Jesus just before the beginning of his public ministry of teaching and preaching. Matt. 3:13-15 describes how Jesus came to the Jordan where John the Baptist was baptising, and after answering some reluctance on John’s part, he was baptised by John. Then, as he came up from the water, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove, alighting upon him, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Then immediately Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and afterwards, while he was hungry and weakened in body, he faced a series of temptations by the devil; temptations which could have derailed and compromised the ministry he was called to share. William Shakespeare once stated that even the devil can quote Scripture to his own purposes, and these temptations which Jesus faced in the wilderness very clearly are examples of the devil’s wily deceptiveness. If a person is not focused on true spiritual truth and value, sometimes the devil can make evil almost sound and look like good.
I want in these reflections to focus on how Jesus moved from grand high spiritual moments and heavenly assurances to come again face to face with the imperfect world, where the devil often encourages rationalizing compromise and wrong with nice-sounding excuses, and often promotes warped perceptions which would see good as evil and evil as good. In the real world of imperfections in which we live, we often are tempted when we are off guard, or when we are weary and stressed. We can note that here Jesus faced just such a situation, and that can give confidence that as he works in our lives he can help us in such circumstances (See Heb. 2:18 and Heb. 4:14-16), and we may find grace to help us in time of need. At times we may face taunting and teasing, and may be goaded toward unreasonable measures to show what we are made of.
We see the devil using these strategies on Jesus. He would say, “If you are the Son of God, show your stuff and prove it by doing what I tell you!” If you are hungry, there is an easy way to fix that, just turn these stones into loaves of bread. You’ll make a big impression, and it will make you popular with everybody! If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the Temple! Show everybody that the angels will catch you and protect you from being hurt. You’ll make a huge impression!! But to these deceptive appeals, Jesus answered with insightful scriptures, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!” and “It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God!” Spiritual genuineness and truth and vital ministry are not manifested by exhibitionism and sensationalism!
It is to be noted that Jesus did not seek a ministry in which he would have guaranteed physical safety, or in which he would be assured of never having to feel the pressures of human hunger and trials and suffering. He did not seek the personal a grand ize ment of worldly power and wealth and the impressiveness of worldly fame. Rather, Jesus was committing himself to a ministry in which he shared the common needs and stresses and temptations of life, as all human beings experience these. His was a ministry that would move toward a cross of suffering and of selfgiving, not toward an easy triumphalism.
Sometimes when we have experienced high moments of spiritual joy and assurance, we may come away assuming that from now on everything will just go great for us, or that our life should now be a continuously thrilling ride! How often, when life asks of us that we take up our cross of self-denial and service, or when we experience pain and difficulty, or when our path becomes rough and our heady thrill is calmed, we drift into questioning our faith, or questioning the Lord, “Why?” It may help us to remember that our Lord came not that he might show out before us and lord it over others, but to give of himself so that our lives would be blessed. Greatness is not necessarily demonstrated by showing out for others to see, or by securing all the advantages and comforts for oneself, but by contributing a caring, serving spirit which shares blessings with others. Jesus once said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He came with a serving heart, that life may be made whole, that we may seek truly greater things in life, and that we may reach for the best we can be through his love and grace!
••• Editor’s note: Jerry Nichols, a native of Pea Ridge, is an award-winning columnist, is a retired Methodist minister. He can be contacted by e-mail at joe369@centurytel.net, or call 621-1621.
50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 2 No. 5 Thursday, Feb. 2, 1967
Approximately 100 persons called at the new Pea Ridge City Hall and Graphic offices Friday afternoon during the formal opening. Guest were greeted by Mayor Jack Musteen and other city officials and by Earl Jines, publisher of the Graphic.
President Linda McElmurry opened the Jan. 23 meeting of the Pea Ridge 4-H Club held at the Community Building. Group singing was led by Billye McElmurry, Jordan Miser led the pledge to the flag, and Billye McElmurry, the 4-H pledge. Linda McElmurry presented a talk on the 10 ships of 4-H, which are workmanship, fellowship, acquaintanceship, friendship, sportsmanship, partnership, salesmanship, leadership, stewardship and citizenship.
Mrs. Stanley Buttry was hostess Thursday night for the January social of the Beta Alpha Chapter of ESA Sorority. Mrs. Carolyn Smith, president, conducted a short business session, during which the club members voted to pay the February milk bill for the Vaughn Retarded Children’s School. The bill will be approximately $30.
On Sunday, Jan. 29, the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church had the ordination and installation of elders as part of the morning worship. Clarence Hunter was ordained and installed. The following were also installed: Don Jordan, Dow McDaniel and Ralph Miller.
40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene Vol. 12 No. 5 Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1977
The Pea Ridge Canning Company was left a charred ruin by fire which struck late Wednesday afternoon. The cause of the blaze was still under investigation early this week. Unofficial speculation centered on that children playing the vacant wood frame warehouse type structure were responsible.
Pea Ridge Junior High cagers brought home a carload of trophies from the Gravette Junior Tournament last week. The undefeated Blackhawk boys took top honors in the finals Saturday night, the girls took second place, and six Hawks were named to the All-Tournament squads: Kendra Ingram, Jan Lookadoo, Cheryl Clark, Rusty Webb, Robbie Smith and Brently Wilkerson.
The Pea Ridge Park fund drive is almost half way to its goal with a total of $217.08 contributed since the drive began two weeks ago. The deadline for reaching the $500 goal is Feb. 15.
Mendenhall’s Pea Ridge Grocery had sugar for $0.69, milk for $1.27 and spaghetti sauce for $0.49.
30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 22 No. 5 Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1987
The Garfield City Council Thursday night took what may be a step closer to clearing the city’s problem with foul smelling water, elected Herbert Ross to fill the fill the unexpired term of former mayor Bobby Flickinger, elected two others to fill the vacant alderman seats, and discussed but took no action on suggestions from citizens that the city adopt building and zoning codes.
Three candidates have filed for the Pea Ridge School Dist. 109 seat being vacated by Andy Buck. The five-year term is being sought by John Brown, Bob Harmon and Jim Henson, all of whom have children in local schools.
The senior boys Blackhawks displayed their determination to overcome as they rallied for 25 points during the last quarter for a come from behind victory. The victory ensured an evening of celebration for the Hawks at the Colors Day dance.
Opening at the Rogers Malco Twin Cinema were “Crocodile Dundee” and “Peggy Sue Got Married.”
20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 32 No. 5 Thursday, Jan. 30, 1997
District 3 Justice of the Peace Leo Lynch conducted the administrative oath of office ceremony at the Pea Ridge City Council meeting on Jan. 21. Taking the oath for two-year terms were alderman Jason Tennant, John Easley, Rick Webb and John Erwin. Sandy Easley was sworn in as city clerk four a fouryear term.
Edward Milosevich (pronounced Mi-lo-se-vich),
known as Ed Milo in the Garfield/Gateway area, is a busy man for a retired Air Force officer, but he has led a busy life from the time he was born in Trinidad, Colo., in 1924. Milosevich, a Realtor for Mozark Realty, four miles east of Gateway, was born to Yugoslavian immigrants and grew up bilingual, speaking English and Yugoslav.
If you are an area adult who never earned your high school diploma or just want to improve your reading, writing and mathematics skills, you’ll soon have the opportunity at Garfield School. The program is sponsored by the Adult Education Department at Northwest Arkansas Community College. And it’s free.
10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 42 No. 5 Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007
Only “small handbags” will be allowed at Pea Ridge High School, according to principal Rick Neal, who said excessive text messaging and cell phone usage prompted the action. Asked Monday about his statements to Pea Ridge High School students assembled prior to a National Honor Society-sponsored event Friday, Neal said school policy and state law required all backpacks to be of mesh or clear material.
Pea Ridge is a long way from Dallas, Texas, but it’s soon to be home to Noah Mitchell, the new associate pastor of youth and discipleship at First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge. A native of Garland, Mitchell, 24, made the journey to northwest Arkansas through Siloam Springs.
Kelly Ward was crowned 2007 Colors Day Queen at Pea Ridge High School Friday night. She succeeds Haley Bone, 2006 Colors Day queen. Ward was escorted by Daniel Connell. She is the daughter of Rick and Cynthia Ward. She likes basketball and softball. Her hobbies are shopping, spending time with friends and family, playing sports and swimming.