Temptation of Jesus

Temptation of Jesus

I want to reflect on the following 11 verses from the bible:
(I was always puzzled by these 11 verses)

Mat 4:1 ¶ Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

When I read God's word I find myself asking questions like, why would God do that if He is God? If Jesus is God then why would Satan have tempted Him? If Jesus is God then why does Jesus say the Father is greater than I?

Time after time God has revealed answers, that provide the answers, that take away the why to a point I can no longer find a why. This is when you find truth. Truth will bear witness to itself and ultimately divide good and evil like a two edged sword. Let's focus on the temptation of Jesus for now.

If I read these 11 verses before I felt as if the devil had some control over Jesus to a degree before Jesus cast him away. These verses may sound like they are saying that the devil had the power to take Jesus on top of a pinnacle and that the devil had some sort of power or control of Jesus. Please pay attention to the first verse:

Mat 4:1¶Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

This verse puts everything into perspective because the verse is clearly stating that Jesus went to Satan to be tempted. Satan did indeed tempt Jesus so that he could know if in fact it was the real Messiah. Satan tempted Jesus in a way that would prove if Jesus was God on earth. Satan does have power but even his power comes from Jehovah GOD. Satan knew the prophecies from the old testament better than any other man on earth but I don't think he knew what the Son of GOD was going to look like before he was born until he was in fact born and actually manifested himself. Jesus Christ manifested himself to the entire world through his death but Jesus manifested Himself to Satan when Jesus went to the wilderness so that Satan could tempt Him. Satan placed Jesus on a pinnacled only because Jesus allowed him too in order that He could manifest to Satan that He was here and He is claiming what is His because He bought and paid for us in full with His innocent blood that poured on the cross for the sins of the entire world.

Satan never had any power over Jesus and as it also clearly states that Satan left as soon as Jesus said to go. It is also clear that GOD loves us so much that he brings Himself down to our level so that we can have a real understanding of the truth. In short, these verses are saying that Jesus went to Satan and said it is now time for me to take back what is mine because I am GOD and I have all power over you. Because of the questions Satan asked he knows that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Lord and Saviour. Satan had to become more real with how short his time is at this point. Satan has one passion and that is to take as much of God's creation with him in eternal death as he can. The more he takes the more God hurts. This is the war behind all wars. Most call this the "Spiritual War".

I will follow up with this posting explaining how God answered my prayers and searching for the following question: Is Jesus GOD? Many times God will give us our answers when we very well least expect it but it is always at the perfect time. Besides, what other way could it be. Today I was praying on my wife. It was while my eyes were closed and I was praying for her silently that at the end of my prayer I saw the answer of why satan would tempt Jesus. For me this just didn't make sense to me before. But now it seems so simple and so clear. Please feel free to post your comments on this subject and praise God that we have this ability at this time to share Jesus Christ with each other. We love your Lord and know that you are worth so much more than we can ever offer because you already provided the ulitmate sacrifice through your power and love forever and ever. AMEN.

Glory to GOD,

Kerry Dale Hancock Jr
messenger in CHRIST

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.