This morning as I spent time in Matthew 4 reading through the temptation of Jesus I was struck by the last temptation that Satan gives the Lord in verse 9 saying "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." I've always laughed this off as ridiculous, but when I thought a little bit harder on what is really being offered I had to slow down and process it. Jesus ultimately will sit at the right hand of God and rule the nations (Ps. 2:8, et al.) - but that path comes through the cross.
You see without the cross Jesus does not accomplish the purposes of God that He has been set apart to do. Satan is promising Jesus a short cut. Jesus can gain the inheritance God promised Him through a different route than God. This is what Paul writes of Christ's authority over the nations in Philippians 2. This is what Christ would sacrifice to circumvent the will of God:
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.It is through the cross that Christ receives the name that all men bow down to. The name that truly gives Christ authority over the nations.
So next time you think of a better way than God's way ask yourself: was that Christ's idea, or Satan's? If you're trying to find a better way than God's way you will forfeit the inheritance that God has promised to you. Jesus came as the Second Adam to redeem the brokenness of man. Where we fall short he succeeds. In temptation run to Jesus, he promises us this in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
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Jesus thank you that you reign supreme over us. As it says in Isaiah 55, your ways are better than our ways. As hard as it is for me to believe that when I'm in the moment of frustration and temptation I know that my striving produces death and my submission brings forth the fruits of obedience. And through obedience we find hope - hope that even in the worst of our suffering and pain you will remain faithful. And that hope does not put us to shame but brings the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). Thank you for a way out, a perfect destiny, and the courage to believe you will fulfill all that you have promised us. Amen
