The Pinnacle Moment

## Taking a Stand

The chef priests “stood by”. This word, ἵστημι (HeES-stay-me), meaning “to stand”, sparks interesting points to me. Its first mention is in Matthew 2:9 when the star of Bethlehem “stood” over the place where the Christ child was. The wise men referred to this as His star. It was a forerunning witness to the Messiah, and whether it was an actual star or an angel or a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, it stood with the Christ above all others. The second mention is Matthew 4:5, when the Devil takes Jesus to the Temple and “sets” Him on the pinnacle. The third mention is Matthew 6:5 when the hypocrites “stand” and pray publicly to get attention. The one who does that promotes himself; that is, he promotes man, not God. This is always the dichotomy in the Bible. Which one is being lifted up for praise or honor or glory? Man or God. Every one of you is taking your stand on the Christ. Every one of you is taking your stand for the Christ...or for yourself.

## Stands Between

But take notice within these three mentions at what stands between. There are those who stand as a witness for the Messiah and those who stand as a witness for man. What stands between is the Devil. As Christians, the Devil takes all of us to the pinnacle of the Temple at some time. Jesus’ response tells us what the issue was. He quotes Deuteronomy 6:16 that we shall not test God. In that passage Moses recalls a situation at Massah from Exodus 17:7 that ultimately ends with the people questioning whether God was with them or not.

## Was He even present?

## Self-Check

So when the Devil takes you to the pinnacle and tries to urge you to question if God is even in your life, remember Immanuel — “God with us”. Will you be like the star of Bethlehem and stand where the Christ is? He has declared His stand for us on the cross, and if that was all He had ever done, it would’ve been enough.

## Dinner’s at 7, Justice Will Be Served