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For readers today, the “genealogies” (lists of names and relationships) are probably the most “so what?” parts of the Bible. But Luke made a key point with his genealogy, seen if we put it side by side with the list in Matthew 1. Matthew started Jesus’ lineage with Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation. Luke came (verse 34) to Jacob, Isaac, Abraham—but went right on, all the way to “the son of Adam, the son of God.” The genealogy highlighted the sense of identity Jesus carried into his temptations. By saying “IF you are the Son of God,” the tempter asked, in effect, “Do you know who you are?” Because Jesus knew, he refused the temptation to try to prove his identity in self-serving ways.

• All of the temptations tugged at Jesus to act in ways that would make his life easier by matching popular hopes of what the Messiah would do. But Jesus, committed to God’s way as taught in Scripture, refused to “play to the crowd.” Was there ever a time when a desire to please others drew you away from God’s purpose for your life? What steps help you keep focused and faithful despite any pressures you face?