The Temptation of Jesus

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:8-11

Really? Did Satan think that he could get Jesus to bow down and worship him? It does seem preposterous, especially since everything already belonged to Him. Or did it? As God, He did possess all things, but as a man, before He could truly possess all the kingdoms of the world, He would first have to endure the most excruciating suffering and death. Satan suggested, “You don’t have to go to the cross, just bow down to me and you can have it all.” It was a lie of course.

This is a temptation that we fall for often, with much less incentive. Every time we disobey God we are essentially bowing down to Satan. We bow down to Satan simply to gain a few moments of pleasure, or to gain some perceived advantage. It is always a lie. Following Satan never results in any advantage, for it is always turning away from God from whom comes every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17) Thank God that He is so patient and long-suffering with us and always ready to forgive. Thank Him that Jesus resisted this temptation also and went to the cross for us. Trust Him alone! Live with Him and for Him, and rejoice that we have been freed from Satan’s power.

O God, forsake me not! Take not Thy Spirit from me
And suffer not the might Of sin to overcome me.
Increase my feeble faith, Which Thou Thyself hast wrought.
Be Thou my Strength and Power, – O God, forsake me not!
The Lutheran Hymnal 402:2

The Temptation of Jesus

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:8-11

Really? Did Satan think that he could get Jesus to bow down and worship him? It does seem preposterous, especially since everything already belonged to Him. Or did it? As God, He did possess all things, but as a man, before He could truly possess all the kingdoms of the world, He would first have to endure the most excruciating suffering and death. Satan suggested, “You don’t have to go to the cross, just bow down to me and you can have it all.” It was a lie of course.

This is a temptation that we fall for often, with much less incentive. Every time we disobey God we are essentially bowing down to Satan. We bow down to Satan simply to gain a few moments of pleasure, or to gain some perceived advantage. It is always a lie. Following Satan never results in any advantage, for it is always turning away from God from whom comes every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17) Thank God that He is so patient and long-suffering with us and always ready to forgive. Thank Him that Jesus resisted this temptation also and went to the cross for us. Trust Him alone! Live with Him and for Him, and rejoice that we have been freed from Satan’s power.

O God, forsake me not! Take not Thy Spirit from me
And suffer not the might Of sin to overcome me.
Increase my feeble faith, Which Thou Thyself hast wrought.
Be Thou my Strength and Power, – O God, forsake me not!
The Lutheran Hymnal 402:2