THE BATTLE IN THE DESERT (part two)
Matthew 4:8-11
Last week we started looking into the temptation of Jesus in Matt. 4. We learned in vs. 1 that Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted. Although that seems odd, we see it was for a purpose. Jesus was about to embark on his three years of intense, public ministry. This major test would prepare him for that.
The temptations he would be facing here in the desert are things he would be facing along the way during his ministry-the temptation to please self, the temptation to doubt and the temptation to gain worldly power. Passing this test would make it easier to face the ones that were to come.
That's how it is with us. The more we pass the tests the better equipped and prepared we are to face the next one. The first temptation in Matt. 4 was Satan telling Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus had fasted for forty days and Satan tempted him to satisfy his hunger.
Jesus responded by quoting from Deut. 8 that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus was showing us the need to rely on God, not ourselves. Jesus made it clear that his needs were not going to be met when he desired, but when God desired. He wasn't going to obey Satan's command only God's.
Likewise, instead of doing what seems right to us, we need to wait upon the Lord's instructions. Whenever we think we're justified in doing something, we need to line it up with the bible. What does God's word say about it? Did we pray for God's insight and wisdom? Did we listen when God responded?
Jesus' second temptation came when Satan led him to the high point of the temple, overlooking a deep valley. Satan told Jesus to throw himself down. He misused Ps. 91:11-12 to justify it: "He will command his angels concerning you, they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
These verses are not to be used to test God's validity but as a confirmation of God's protection if we find ourselves in harm's way. That's why Jesus responded with Deut. 6:16-'do not test the Lord your God'. Satan wanted to cast doubt in Jesus' mind. But Jesus knew Satan wasn't using scripture correctly because there was another scripture to counter it.
Satan will try to get us to doubt God and doubt ourselves. But God's truth will always expose the devil's lies. Satan tells us that God doesn't care; that God doesn't love us. But we know God's word says otherwise. Satan can sound convincing but we don't have to fall for his lies. God's voice is the one that always rings true.
Let's look at vss. 8-11 and see how this battle in the desert finishes.
1) The temptation of power.
Vs. 8-10, "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’”
The first temptation had to do with Jesus' fleshly hunger, the second had to do with his trust in God, and this last one has to do with worldly power. The first one attacked God’s provision, the second attacked God’s protection, and the third attacked God’s prominence. Satan wanted Jesus to think that he had the power, not God.
In the second temptation, Satan took Jesus to the highest point of the temple. This time he took him to an even higher point-a mountaintop. And we have on this literal mountain a supernatural event in Satan showing Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. We know it was supernatural since no one would be able to see all the kingdoms of the world from any mountaintop. And in Luke's version, it says that Satan showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
So why bring Jesus up the mountain to show him this vision, he could've done that from anywhere. True, but bringing Jesus up the mountain would've produced an effect. [Beth and I climbing St. Regis Mountain]. When you reach the summit and look around it's visually stimulating. Plus, you feel the sense of accomplishment; 'I've reached the top'.
Although seeing all the kingdoms of the world may not have been actual, the vantage point Jesus had to see them would be. As Jesus looked around, he would be able to see much of Judea. That would set the stage for Satan's visual. He would've wanted Jesus to feel like he was on top of the world as he saw all the kingdoms of the world. This dramatic effect would've aided Satan in his temptation.
Have your temptations ever been fueled by your location? Some places trigger memories or thoughts and we can find ourselves being tempted. Other things can stimulate temptation, like music or maybe an aroma. External factors can prompt feelings that fuel temptations. Satan will use whatever he can to move us in the direction he wants us to go.
But we see that he saved his best for last; he pulled out all the stops with this last temptation. Satan wanted Jesus to fall for the attractiveness of the proposal. "You can have control over all of it. All the authority, all the resources, you'll never want for anything."
But how can Satan offer Jesus control of the world? Well, Satan is the father of lies so he can't be trusted so he will make promises he has no ability or intention to keep. However, there were times when Jesus referred to the devil as the "prince of this world". And Paul called Satan the god of this world in 2 Cor. 4:4.
After the fall in the Garden of Eden everything changed. And we know that when God flooded the earth it was because of how evil the world had become. It's not much better now. Christians are the minority; most of the world isn't godly. That's why Christians are called aliens and strangers in the world. Jesus said we are in the world but not of the world.
So, Satan is the god of this world in the sense of its sinfulness. Does this mean God's not in control? No. We saw in the book of Job that Satan can't usurp God's authority. If Satan had complete control there would be nothing but pure evil in the world. Obviously, that's not the case.
But regardless as to whether or not Satan could really make good on his offer, we see what his end game was-"if you will bow down and worship me.” Satan wanted Jesus to reject his Father and embrace him! Satan wanted Jesus to put him on the throne; give him total allegiance. Satan wanted Jesus to acknowledge that he was the supreme being, not God.
That's amazing! How bold must he be to try to get the Son of God to worship him. That tells me that Satan knows no bounds when it comes to trying to get someone to sin. Satan might not come right out and ask us to worship him, but he will try to get us to put something before God. Satan's slick; he knows how to entice us.
Think about this: I'm sure Jesus knew what he would be dealing with over the next three years-all the persecution, being poor and homeless (the Son of Man has no place to lay his head). And let's not forget about his arrest, torture and crucifixion.
Plus, the people were looking for the Messiah to reestablish power and control like it was in Solomon's day. So with having all that in mind, it's easy to see how the offer of power, control, security and comfort would be attractive.
Satan will do the same to us. We'll be tempted to please people and give them what they want. "I don't want to disappoint these people or get them mad at me." We may have the opportunity to gain power, control, wealth, etc. at the cost of compromising on our morals or ethics.
"If you're going to get ahead, you need to play ball". "In order to get what you want you're going to need to make some sacrifices". Maybe, but our devotion to Christ can't be one of them. That's why Jesus told Satan to get lost, quoting Deut. 6:13, 'worship the Lord your God and serve him only'.
Jesus knew he would lose far more than he would gain. That's why he taught us in Mark 8:36, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Jesus was literally offered the world but if he accepted the offer it would've meant forfeiting his soul.
We won't be offered the world but we'll still be tempted to compromise. When we are we need to consider what we're giving up; what it's going to cost us. Nothing Satan has to offer compares to what God can give us. So we have to be ready. We are in a war and we'll be fighting battles.
1 Pet. 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” Here we see what it's all about for Satan. Just as his end game with Jesus was for him to worship him and forfeit his soul, it's the same M.O. with us. Satan is contending for our soul.
Adam Clarke's commentary: "This is the object and operation of every earthly and sensual desire. How little do those who indulge them think of the ruin which they produce!"
In commenting on how sinful desires war against our soul, William Burkitt wrote, "they war against the purity of the soul; they war against the dignity of the soul; against the peace of the soul; against the liberty of the soul; yea, against the life of the soul".
Jesus took his battles seriously and gained the victory. He knew what was at stake if he failed. When we give in to temptation our spiritual walk suffers, our witness suffers, our mental health suffers, our soul suffers. The next time you're tempted, tell Satan to get lost.
2) Relief efforts.
Vs. 11, "Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
When Jesus told Satan to leave, he left. That worked for Jesus but what about us? James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
When we submit ourselves to God we choose to do his will, not ours. We choose to please the spirit over the flesh. When we do that and resist temptation, Satan has to go; that's the power we have through Christ. Resisting the devil’s temptations is our victory over him.
Ok, but the problem is he comes back. That's true, when we resist temptation, Satan leaves, but not for good. In Luke's version it says that Satan left Jesus, until an opportune time. Satan would return to tempt Jesus and we know that he will come back to tempt us too.
He's just waiting for the right opportunity to come back and try again. That could be a week later, a day later or even moments later. But the same formula will work every time if we apply it. We need to be as emphatic as Jesus was when anyone tries to get us to compromise on our integrity and devotion to Christ.
“Angels came and attended him.” You may be thinking, why didn't the angels show up sooner? First, Jesus needed to pass the test. But that didn't mean he didn't have any help before then. The power of the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to resist all his temptations. And when it was over, the relief efforts came swooping in providing food, water, and encouragement.
An angel did this for Elijah. When Jezebel threatened his life, he ran. 1 Kings 19:3-8, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God."
We see some similarities between Elijah's account and Jesus'. Both went into the desert. Both were weak and vulnerable. We don't see Satan's official appearance here but who else would convince Elijah that his life might as well be over?
Exhausted from the desert heat and emotional agony, he fell asleep. Then, an angel woke him up to grab a bite. Elijah must've been pretty worn out because he falls asleep again. So, the angel woke him up again, presenting him with more food and drink.
After that he was like Popeye on spinach. He traveled forty days and nights. There's that forty days thing again. The purpose in all this was for Elijah to get to the mountain and meet up with God. There, God revealed some things that Elijah had a wrong perspective about. After his meeting with God, Elijah was ready to get back to work.
Have you ever been discouraged like Elijah? Did someone unexpected come to your aid? If it was a stranger who knows, it may have been an angel. After the angels helped Jesus in the desert, he got some angelic help again when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Luke 22:41-44, "He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
Jesus knew what was fast approaching and he was anguished about it. He asked the Father to provide another way. I'm sensing that Jesus knew right away that there was no other way. Then the angel came and strengthened him for the road ahead.
I'm sure he encouraged him to see this mission through to completion. He could've reminded Jesus of how he passed the test in the desert and he can pass this one too. The angel may have reminded him what would be accomplished if he did not give up, as well as what would happen if he did give up.
Have you ever faced something intimidating? You knew what was coming and it made you anxious or afraid? The anticipation nearly drove you insane? How were you helped to face it? How did you get through it? When we're facing something that could overwhelm us, God will be there to provide the strength to persevere.
And that help might just come in the form of an angel. Heb. 1:14, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
The reality of all the ways God helps us is so reassuring and comforting. The battles we face are serious and all that can be daunting. But we need not be discouraged because we have help from above. Whether it's the Holy Spirit, our spiritual armor, a spiritual person, or even angelic help, we will have the spiritual help we need to fight our spiritual battles-and win!
Have you ever cried out to God, asking for help but you felt like help never came? Is it because the only help you were looking for was the removal of the temptation? The reality is that help does come-in the form of the Spirit's power to resist it.
But that doesn't mean God won't remove a temptation. I've known people who have struggled with a sin and there came a time when the temptations totally stopped. That's great but we will still have to deal with temptation of some sort.
It would be nice if we didn't have to go through all these battles, but the important thing is that we will have everything we need to be triumphant. And we will never have to wage war alone. We have a Savior who knows what we're going through. He will be there to fight the temptation with us. If we fall he will help us back up. And when we win he will enjoy the victory with us.
