Jesus' temptations

Hi Christoggers!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus was really led to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil? It seemed to me a 'good' way for Jesus to lead us by example, showing us the main areas where the devil would always try to get at us.

In Matthew 4:3, the first temptation was aimed at Jesus' source of provision.

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (NIV)

This was not really about Jesus' power but his source - God. The demonstration of his power would have been an ego trip, had he succumbed but I feel it was more about the devil wanting Jesus to use his power of sonship to become self-sufficient and self-reliant. I mean, if God has given you power, you might as well use it to take care of yourself and any needs you may have. The danger however, is that one begins to operate without God; if you can do it alone, you certainly will not need God, will you?

The second temptation was in testing the Word of God by the Word of God! He was testing Jesus, the Word, by Jesus' own authority - his Word. In other words, he was saying to Jesus, "If you are really the Word, then the written Word must also be real. Prove that it is so and put the Word of God to test." This is an area that we are all familiar with. If the Word is not manifested right here and now, does that mean it is not true? Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith in God is our confidence in what he has said. Hebrews 11:6 goes on to explain to us that this faith begins with our belief that God exists. So, now we have two halves of a circle: I believe God exists and this awareness and my knowledge of him gives me enough confidence to trust him to come through for me. Now the devil's challenge is this: Do not believe unless you 'see' his Word work for you! This of course immediately does away with walking with God by faith! Do we believe God in all circumstances, no matter what OR do we believe only when we 'see' him at work?

The third and last temptation was interesting. In Matthew 4:9, the devil took another attempt at what brought about his downfall:

...“if you will bow down and worship me.”

Still trying to be God, he'd forgotten what he had said. Isaiah 14:13-15 (NIV) recalls the devil's boasting and the consequence of it:

...“I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 

 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

Yep! He's still trying to be God, using one of our greatest weaknesses - the lust of the eyes. The question is this: Why would we want the whole world (from Satan), if God has already given us a share in his kingdom - the very kingdom that Satan was trying to take over?

I leave you to reflect this week on the areas Jesus was tempted: his source, the validity of the Word and the worshipping of another god. Be aware of the tempter's tricks!
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PRAYER:  Dear Lord, I pray for grace to resist every trick and trap of the devil and hold on tightly to your Word because you are faithful to your promises, Amen.
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Till next week, keep on walking in Christ.

Yorz-in-Christ,
Lahyorz