Been thinking on Jesus time in the wilderness. This 40 day time period leads directly on from Jesus baptism. Breathtaking.
There was no doubt the devil knew who Jesus was. The devil wasn’t testing Him to see if He was God’s son… he knew it.
God had just announced Jesus as His Son – in whom He was well pleased at the river. The heavens were torn open, the Spirit rested on Him, and The Father’s audible voice was heard.
Satan may not have been sure until then, but now it was crystal clear.
The first thing I am wondrous about – well not the first but the first to comment – was that Jesus was baptised at the very same place the Israelites had entered the promised land at, 1600 years previous. They camped in the wilderness and crossed at the Jordan to head to Jericho. Jesus was baptised on the other side of the Jordan from Jericho (near Bethany) and then went out into the same wilderness the people had come from. Not only that, but this was the same spot Elijah had crossed at. Undoubtedly John the Baptist knew this… and undoubtedly it was part of the reason people asked John if he WAS Elijah returned.
Anyway – that’s a side track.
Jesus is baptised, announced as God’s Son and heads out to the wilderness.
It is astounding to me to read so clearly that Jesus was led by the SPIRIT into the wilderness t be tempted by the devil. (Direct quote).
So the Father intended for Him to face off with the devil. And Jesus, being completely obedient, went and did so.
Clue – don’t head into a face-off with the devil unless the Father specifically calls you to. Phew.
It’s not clear to me whether Satan waited till Jesus was physically at His weakest to begin his onslaught, or if he tempted Jesus for the full 40 days. Either way, fasting in the desert would make a body weak. Satan knew that and he was there.
I like what our Minister Rod once said – that Satan doesn’t play fair. He watched and waited for what he believed to be Jesus weak points. However, after communing directly with His Father for that time, while He was physically His weakest – from the beginning it says He was FULL OF THE SPIRIT, so in His Fathers company, He was STRONG.
The first recorded word of Satan to Jesus here is “if”.
An exceptionally short word but one loaded with inference.
IF – challenge, undermining, provocation… accusation?
The first temptation was directly to a desire of His flesh.
How many of us, in a weakened state can know we’ve not fallen to a temptation of our flesh? In the case of food, nothing bad or evil – but in terms of being fully obedient to the Father, which included this time of fasting – not OK at this time.
Satan not playing fair.
Satan appealing to His flesh. To the body’s genuine need.
But also attempting to play the puppeteer with Jesus – to have Him act at his (Satan’s) will, and outside the Fathers.
Jesus answers Satan with the Word of God. Which He not only knew – He wrote – because He is the Author.
Then Satan takes Jesus to the highest point of the temple.
Most likely – directly above the Most Holy Place. Not just for the view methinks. Not just for the height of the place – he could have incorporated the 2nd and 3rd temptations on the mountaintop of the 3rd.
Significant because Satan knows the Temple is about Jesus. It represents Him. It shows us Him. Directly above the Most Holy Place Satan now steps it up a notch and quotes the Word back at Jesus. A perfect example of Scripture quoting out of context. A perfect example of needing to understand context and application. Which Jesus did.
So Jesus answers Satan with the Word of God. Which He not only knew – He wrote – because He is the Author.
Then Satan takes Jesus to a mountaintop and show Him what He Himself created, loves and desires to restore. Shows it to Jesus as its current prince – tempting His Godly desire… tempting His knowledge of Gods timing… tempting Him to hurry Gods will, to tamper with Gods will for a very great price.
The audaciousness of Satan here is incredible. If Jesus withstood a loaf of bread, did Satan REALLY think Jesus would WORHIP the fallen Lucifer? The one who brought sin into heavens holy realm? Incredible that He should ask this!
I wonder if he’d have tempted with lesser things, if there’d have been more than 3 temptations… but it reads as though Jesus has now had a gut-full. “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
AGAIN Jesus answers Satan with the Word of God. Which He not only knew – He wrote – because He is the Author.
There is vastly more in this account, but these are just my thinking’s for tonight. An extremely pleasant reprieve from the tumble dryer of my mind of the last week or so. Way too many disconnected details tumbling all together. Another way His Word steadies me. I do so love It.
Love Him.
We can’t know the Word like He – we didn’t write it and we are not It’s Author – but He has given us His Name, His Authority, His Spirit – and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – to use as He calls and equips in the circumstances in which we are to resist the devil. And see him flee.