The Third Temptation of Jesus
We’ll continue to look at our Lord’s response during his temptation. In his third test, we’ll see the lie in all Satan’s enticing offers.
Jesus tells us that the devil comes to “steal, and kill, and destroy,” and he usually does it through deception.
Matthew states the following:
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” —Matthew 4:8-9
I believe this approach is used the most by the evil one in the American culture.
First, we need to recognize that Satan, at the time, had the authority to offer Jesus the kingdom of this world. But Satan no longer has this authority, The resurrection stripped him of it. Jesus conquered death, defeated the evil one and was given the kingdom of the world.
Jesus rescued us, and Satan no longer has the authority over us in this world.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. —Colossians 2:15
I believe Satan thought he would win when he offered Jesus all the glory and splendor of the kingdom of this world. He thought, “No one, not even God’s Son, could resist this extravagant offer.” Satan knew Jesus has come to take back authority over the earth, and he offered Jesus this authority without having to suffer the cross.
Aren’t you glad our Lord said, “No, thanks”?
Instead, Jesus said, “I am going with the will of My Father, and I will trust Him with the mission He has sent me on. Even in the Garden, I will go with My Father … no matter what you throw at Me.”
By doing this, Christ sought the will and glory of the Father and triumphed over Satan and his tactics.
Brothers and sisters, the enemy is still active today—promising us anything we want to keep us from going with Jesus. Today, we each fight our own “fight of faith.” So fight to make every choice for the “glory of Christ Jesus.”
Going with Jesus is costly, but the faith that seeks His glory will fulfill all of our deepest longings. If we seek our own agenda, we will pay a great cost … we will miss out on everything that God wants for us.
Jesus was the ultimate example of this when he emphatically said to the enemy, “Away from Me. I will worship and serve My Father only. He is worthy to be trusted. So I will do His will … even if it is by means of the cross.”
To God be the glory!
