Temptation

May 3, 2021

Matthew 4 records the contest between Jesus and the devil, beginning with the latter’s suggestion that after 40 days of fasting Jesus turn stones into bread. He followed by encouraging Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of the temple so the angels could rescue him and prove to onlookers who he was. The final temptation was a blatant plea for Jesus to bow to him, with the offer of all the kingdoms of the world if he would do so—quite an alluring temptation, as Jesus would by it be able to bypass the cross.

Temptations often begin as they did here, with an appeal to satisfy a legitimate need, but in a way that would be outside God’s plan. For Jesus, it was turning stones into bread; for us it would be a bit more mundane—satisfying sexual needs outside of marriage, or providing for the family through theft or corruption. It often is easy to rationalize our sin, even quoting Scripture to do so, as the devil did. The contest ultimately ends with an appeal to simply surrender to the fulfillment of our desires by any means possible. The operative word here is “surrender.”

I don’t believe the devil came to Jesus in obvious malevolent attire and demeanor, but in the thoughts of his own mind, just as he comes to us. We would run if we recognized him for who he is, but disguised as our own thoughts and feelings, we listen...to our peril. The answer to his machinations is the same for us as it was for Jesus: to be so saturated with Scripture that we not only can quote it, but recognize when it is being twisted and contorted and used against us. Elsewhere, Jesus quoted from the Psalms, saying, “I come to do Thy will, O God.” He was able to resist surrender to the devil because he was already surrendered to the Father. May this be true of me, as well.