For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story (Matthew 4:1-11), I'll do my best to try and paraphrase it for you.
So, Jesus had just got baptized by John the Baptist. You know, that baptism when the heavens opened up, the dove flew down on His shoulder, and God spoke. Yeah, the epic-est baptism of all. That one. The next thing the Bible says is that Jesus was led by the Spirit (the third member of the Godhead) into the wilderness. Jesus then fasted for 5 1/2 weeks and at the end of his fast "the tempter came to him." Meaning, Lucy appeared and tried to derail the plan of salvation for us all. I figure he thought, "If I can get Jesus to either sin or swear allegiance to me, then God's plan will be ruined and I will be King!"
Now, there are several things about this narrative that stand out. But what hit me most is the parts in between temptations. The Bible says that after the first temptation "Then the devil took Him into the holy city..." (v.5) and after the second temptation, "the devil took Him to a very high mountain..." (v.7). I always thought that Satan somehow beamed Jesus to these places. The narrative reads so quickly that I always thought these temptations were in quick secession.
But what if they weren't?
Put yourself in His sandals. You are hungry, tired, worn out, and weak. You have just gone into the wilderness and dealt with and overcome one of Satan's test...which I imagine to be extremely difficult. Probably one that 99% of us would have failed. Next, you have to travel to Jerusalem, mostly likely still weary from before, only to be tempted again. Then, after winning that battle, you have to hike up to the top of a mountain, to face yet another temptation from Satan.
Here is what I am trying to get at. Not only is that a lot of traveling in a day, but I'm willing to bet Jesus wasn't alone in between temptations. I don't think Satan just appeared at each of these places, tempted Jesus and then left. More than likely, Satan was with Jesus the entire time; trying to derail His mission quite literally every step of the way.
Now, I want you to honestly stop and think about that for a second. Jesus had this evil, negative, and extremely cunning voice just hounding Him at every turn. Maybe before the second temptation, Lucy tried to talk up Jesus and maybe appeal to his ego. "Wow, I thought for sure you'd have taken the bait and made those rocks bread. You certainly are the son of God. You are all powerful! You must have a truly noble mission here. Surely, God would never let any harm come to you. Why would He, I mean, You are here for a reason right? Besides, don't the scriptures say that His angels with take care of You?" And on and on Lucy would talk. I would imagine that Jesus heard something like this for miles upon miles until they reached the temple in Jerusalem. Satan trying his hardest to try and convince Jesus that God would protect Him. Then, when Lucy felt He had a foothold, he struck. "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down..." (v.6) You've got to remember, Satan has been around the block a few times and has been tempting people to sin against God since the beginning of creation. Adam and Eve were his first victims, and for the several thousands of years since I'm sure he's gotten better and better at his craft. My point is that sin is often the result of the tempter's evil schemes and trickery, and even Jesus had to deal with it.
This not only gives me a clearer picture of the temptations of Jesus but also shines a light on my many struggles and sins. So many times in my walk with God am I confronted with a problem that things have seemed to culminate to. Rarely is it ever spontaneous. It's not like I step outside and there's a beautiful woman in a bikini asking me if I want to cheat on my wife. It's not like I walk into work and people out of the blue start yelling and cussing at me. It's not like pornography is on television every time I turn it on. It's not like these scenarios at all. Life is not a simple test of yes and no answers. In reality, it is the whispers of the enemy that gently pull me away from the Father, so that when the big test arrives I am too blind to see it coming...and I fall. Hard. Even now, my heart is breaking when I think back on my life and see the gentle misguiding of the tempter that ultimately leads to my failures.
Oh, God forgive me! I am weak for the lusts of this life. I am weak but want control of things that should be in your hands. I am weak and let Satan and his armies distract me from what I should be focusing on: You. Forgive me, Father God, for what I have done. Forgive my heart's wavering on your ever abounding truth. Forgive me for not always putting you first in my life! Father, forgive me! Give me strength to repent; to turn from my sins and walk to you. Give me clarity to see what I need to do to honor You in all I think, say, and do. Amen.
What is so great is that Jesus has been through it all. He knows what it's like to have those whispers in your, telling you those little white lies that lead to the destruction of your soul. He knows what it's like to be completely broken, weak, and hungry and knowing that it takes every fiber of your being to hold on to righteousness. He knows what humility is. He knows what you are going through. Not only does He show us that resistance is possible, that He is God, and that He is more powerful, but sets a perfect example of what to do when we find ourselves on the mountain.
The Bible is the Ultimate Authority
Every time Jesus is tempted, He relies on God's word. He doesn't try to rationalize or make excuses on why He should or shouldn't do something. Instead, He responds with, "It is written..." God's holy word has authority, power, and answers. Jesus is telling us to fall on God's word and trust that His way of life is the only thing that can bring us the ultimate joy.
Know your Bible
Furthermore, Jesus quotes the Bible in response to Satan's temptation. Even when Satan uses the Bible to try and trick Jesus, He quotes from the Bible. What that tells me is that we need to study the Bible diligently. We need to have God's word on our mouths, in our hearts, shielding our eyes, protecting our ears, and guiding our actions. When we trust in God's authoritative word in scripture and then have it as a foundation to our lives, the enemy cannot win!
Satan does not have ultimate power
When Jesus finally completes his long day or so of temptations, what happens? The Bible says, "Then the devil left Him..." Once Satan realized that Jesus' mind, heart, and soul was fixated on God he left. Satan only has power when we give it to him. And he is only given that power when we take our eyes off of Him; when we stop worshiping the Father. So remember, whatever it is you are going through, the devil only has power that you give him. Especially if you are in Christ. Lucy cannot keep up the fight forever, which is why the Bible tells us to endure the race! (Heb. 12:1) Lucy loses in the end. God's in control, guys. It's going to be ok!
Trust God
Once Satan met defeat, he quit. But then what happened? "and behold, angels came down and began to minister to Him." This means God was watching Jesus go through it all and was right there for Him. What a comfort that should be to all of us! God is watching us in our struggles and is waiting with angels to help us through it, if need be. We are not alone and God knows what we need. Praise God for that! When we are faithful to honor Him and choose not to live according to this life, He is blessed and showers us with His grace. Mind you this is not a works thing. I'm not saying, "If you do A, B, C for God then you'll get D, E, and F!" No, no, no. I'm saying when we live according to His word, with his gospel imprinted on our minds and hearts then Satan is powerless, God is blessed, and we are able to enjoy the joy's that only God can give. To God be the glory!
I hope you are encouraged today to continue to fight the fight. God bless.
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