Posted on 01/21/2022 11:25:54 AM PST by metmom
“The devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” (Matthew 4:8).
Satan offered the world’s kingdoms to Jesus on his own corrupt terms. God allowed this test to prove that Christ was and is a worthy Son, fit to one day inherit the world and rule from His throne. The devil, on the other hand, wanted to prove the Son’s unworthiness by getting Him to prematurely grab the kingdoms God had already promised Him.
The enemy approaches Christians also with corrupt bargaining chips. Whatever they might want in the realm of business, politics, fame, or anything else, he claims it can be theirs for a “reasonable” price or trade-off. He says we can be or have whatever we want, just so long as we pursue it according to the world’s way—which is also Satan’s way. In effect, it’s like saying to ourselves, “Why wait for a heavenly reward when you can cut corners, shade the truth, run ahead of God’s schedule, and have what you want now?”
But when we grab hold of Satan’s corrupt strings, we put self first and God last. Instead of seeking God’s kingdom first (Matt. 6:33), we act more like Abraham, who sought God’s promise of an heir through his own impatient, selfish act with Hagar (Gen. 16:1–6). The result of that sin was tragic and heart-breaking, and has been to this day.
Ask Yourself
“The world” doesn’t really know what “glory” is. And if we had a keener, more realistic sense of God’s awesome splendor, we’d see the world’s flimsy reflections for what they really are. What seems glorious and glamorous about the world to you? Ask God to help you see it truthfully.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Muslims and democRATs need to pay attention.
This was one of three temptations Christ faced that are specifically described in Matthew four. He replied as at other times with a quote from Deuteronomy. This one was the command to worship the Lord your God and to only serve Him.
I find it interesting that this command would be the reverse of what Satan was asking. Satan wanted Jesus to bow and worship him. However it was Satan who rightfully should have bent his knee and worshipped Christ.
Hebrews one says that the scripture was a Messianic reference to Christ that says of the Son, “Let all the angels worship Him.” Christ was essentially replying to Satan and saying, “I will not worship you, you must worship Me.” And eventually this is going to happen.
The best day of my life will be when Jesus finally returns and puts the enemy in his place once and for all.
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Amen!
Satan had a lot of gall to think the Savior would fall for that. Shows how desperate he is.
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