Temptations of Christ
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:8-10 (ESV)
“Thy Kingdom come.” How many times have we prayed those words? Few requests have God’s children made as frequently as that one. God’s people long for the day when flawed earthly governments cease as all creation melts away, and the new creation is revealed. We look forward to the day when God reigns from His throne with Jesus at His right hand.
Satan, in this third temptation, whispers in Jesus’s ear: “Thy kingdom come, but let it come right now. Forget your cross–take up your sword and chariot. Conquer, and reign!”
How many injustices could Jesus have ended if, instead of marching to the cross, He had reclaimed His divine power and overthrown the pagan Roman government? He could have restored the kingdom to Israel, crushed its oppressors, gathered all the nations of the earth under one empire that would have made Alexander the Great look like a petty king. As God-King, Jesus could provide for all mankind. Hunger, poverty, and disease could all cease. It would be a utopia.
This utopia, however, would be flawed. Underneath that physical paradise, spiritual corruption would still be rotting the hearts of men. Sin would still hurt relationships, destroy trust, and ultimately lead each citizen of this nation to eternal damnation.
Jesus knew this. That was why He was here–to deal with that underlying corruption once and for all and deliver us forever from the kingdom of darkness. Jesus rejected this false “shortcut”, submitting Himself to the long, painful road that would lead to Calvary.
O Jesus, King of Glory, both David’s Lord and Son!
Thy realm endures forever, in heaven is fixed Thy throne.
Help that in earth’s dominions, thro’out from pole to pole,
Thy reign may spread salvation to each benighted soul.
The Lutheran Hymnal 130: 1