This confrontation between a very hungry Jesus and a very treacherous devil is one of the most dramatic scenes in the Bible. It is interesting to note how the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness precisely so he could be tempted by the devil.
The first temptation is straight forward. Jesus in hungry; all he need do is change a stone into bread. Simple enough. Who would begrudge him this? (And who would know?) Had Jesus not heard the voice from heaven acknowledging him as God’s son? Surely he had the power. But the other demon Jesus struggled with is in answering WHY Jesus had this power? And more importantly, for WHOM?
This power was for others, especially sinners, and not for himself.
Speaking of power, the devil’s next temptation was to show Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory: Egypt, India, China, Korea, the Aztec, perhaps even the power of later empires like Spain, Portugal, England and even the United States. All these the devil promises to give Jesus---and this is the interesting part---because the devil says they all belong to him. An objective look at history shows this as no surprise. Every single empire and kingdom on earth was built on the backs of slaves and survived by crushing all adversaries.
But this was not to be Jesus’ way. His kingdom was to be of free men and women who willingly left all to follow him. He will sooner lay down his own life rather than kill another. In addition, the price the devil asks is too great: “Bow down and worship me.” Idolatry ultimately undermines every kingdom and country on earth, whether it take the form of materialism, money or greed.
For the third temptation, the devil challenges Jesus to jump off the roof of the Temple to prove once and for all he is the Messiah. That would certainly convince people watching down below, especially the chief priests, It would certainly save Jesus from a lot of agony. Literally. And note that the devil himself quotes Scripture! Especially when he wants to distort its meaning and manipulate others. His should serve as a warning when we are too impressed by the way some people can quote the Bible chapter and verse. Very impressive. But what are they quoting it for, to liberate people or enslave them? To control others or free them?
Jesus tells the devil to get lost, knowing that in a few years he would mount the heights of Calvary and from there, the greatest point of weakness he would reveal his greatest power. The last line is telling. The devl departs to await another opportunity.
Jesus’ temptations are not over, just interrupted. On the cross he will be tempted one last time in almost the same words, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
Jesus reveals the greatest power comes from submitting to the will of God, no matter how painful this may be. He faced temptations every day, as now do we. But let us never hesitate to call on him who alone has the power to save us and who gave his life to empower us all.
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