FROM INSPIRATION POINT

#13 The Mount of Temptation

In preparation for combat with Satan, Jesus fasted for forty days and then was led out into the wilderness where Satan came to him and suggested that he use his God-given power for the selfish reason of satisfying his own hunger. Built into our physical being is hunger as a means of self-preservation. For most people missing one meal is cause enough to be desperate for something to eat, but Jesus had fasted for forty days. That is over a month without food. Satan approached Jesus to remind him that, if he is the Son of God, he has the power to command stones to become bread. Even a suggestion from Satan, if followed by Jesus, would have been repulsive, so Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" Jesus teaches us, by this, that Man does not indiscriminately use God's power for whatever his needs might be.

Next, Satan took Jesus to the holy city, to the pinnacle of the temple, where he could look down at jagged rocks and tombs. He then suggested to Jesus that he demonstrate God's power to save him by throwing himself off of that pinnacle. Satan gave him scriptures to prove his point by saying, "It is written, he will give his angels charge over you, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone." That was a misquote of Psalm 91. Jesus answered with another scripture, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."

As Satan had misfired on his first two attempts to distract Jesus from his purpose, he tried the third and final temptation by transporting him "to an exceeding high mountain and showed him all kingdoms of the world and all the glory in them, and said to him, 'All these things I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus answered, 'Get away from me Satan, for it is written "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."'"

Jesus endured more than any temptation that could ever fall upon us. He did it by not only referring to the scriptures, but by having them written deeply in his heart. God has promised us: "I will put my laws in their minds and write them upon their hearts." [Heb. 8:10]

-John Young