Or "The Dark Side Lost 0 for3"
Satan's experience in exploiting fleshly desiresand weaknesses had been honed over thousands of years. All of thisdark cunning would be focused and unleashed against Jesus in thewilderness. As would soon be clear, to destroy Jesus under the weightof sin was his prime objective at any cost.
Having denied himself food in the desert, Jesus'physical state was weakened. The dark prince, seeing his opportunity,seems to have insidiously appeared as a caring friend. Heels ofresistance might dig in when someone is obviously against you. Andso, just as a seemingly concerned colleague might suggest, "if youhave an expense account, use a little of it for a night out with thespouse," so too Satan enticed, "If you are the Son of God, commandthese stones to become bread."
Sinister forces had spun their dark interpretationof the situation, "it's all about you Jesus. It's all aboutyour hunger. It's all about sustaining your physicallife. If you have authority and power, go ahead and use alittle for yourself. You deserve it. You areworth it." Perhaps the temptation also contained the tinge of achallenge. Give in to your pride by proving to me what youcan do and who you are.
Even in his weakened state, Jesus had not lostsight of the big picture. Life, filled with its successive littlescenarios, is for serving God and his will. Light broke forth asJesus proclaimed, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone."Satan had framed the moment to exclude any consideration about Godbut to revolve solely around Jesus. Jesus did not play within theseboundaries. Jesus countered by placing the Creator and Sustainer atthe heart of how he should respond in that situation. The Dark Sidewas 0 for 1.
Taking Jesus to the highest point of the temple,he struck again. Imagine the spectacle of Jesus free falling towardthe bustling heart of God's people only to be suddenly caught byangels appearing from out of nowhere to rescue him. What validationof Jesus' importance to God this would provide to the worshippers! SoSatan reminded Jesus that the Scriptures revealed there would be nodanger if he was the Son of God. If you are the Son of God, jump! Letthe crowds be amazed! Jesus, do you have enough faith? Jesus, are youconfident about your identity? Whether or not you jump is all aboutyou Jesus, your faith, your fame, youridentity.
Rather than allow someone to distort his earthlylife as though it revolved around himself, Jesus evaluated thisproposal in light of God's will. Jumping would involve testing God.The question was not about whether he had enough faith to jumpor proving to the Tempter who he was, or about being validated by thecrowd. The question was, would Jesus allow himself to test and proveGod? Jesus responded, "it is written, 'you shall not test the Lordyour God.'" The Dark Side was 0 for 2.
In a moment of time, the dark prince showed Jesusthe glory and splendor of the world. The power and splendor must havebeen impressive. Satan then unveiled a blinding offer placing Jesuscenter stage in the bright lights of glory. Jesus, you willget all this glory I have just shown you, if you will justworship me. Once again, Satan's portrayal of the situation eliminatedGod, while exalting what this would do for Jesus.
Although the Adversary may not have understood thecross, Jesus did. Here was a path that did not require the Messiah tosuffer in order to become Lord of the nations. Would Jesus allow thisopportunity to revolve around his comfort or to be centered uponreceiving the glory of the nations he deserved? Refusing to excludeGod from his decision making process, Jesus responded, "it iswritten, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"God's will is to infuse not only what our goal is, but also the pathto it. The end is not justified by the means. The Dark Side lost 0for 3.
Does our Adversary work so differently today? Howoften does he tempt us with: "You have been hurt so deeply, youshould not have to forgive." "You deserve better, so take what isrightfully yours." "What matters is your opinion, that's where it isat." It seems as though frequently we are tempted to acquire a tunnelvision excluding God, in order to nurse the thought, "what will thisdo for me?" Satan has millennia of experience. We have Jesus'solution for the temptations.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2005
Other Articles Which Might Be ofInterest:
What Satan May Think Of YouWith God's Help You Can Make It
Seeing the Unseen (On The Spiritual World)