The Battle In The Desert (Part Two)

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.