Temptation of Christ 2 of 3

Today we look at the 2nd of the three temptations of Christ.

Last week we saw Satan tempt Jesus with a basic human need, food. When that didn't work the Devil tried another of humans instinctual flaws.

Greed.

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ -Luke 4:5-8

You really want to unpack that verse? Satan tells Jesus that all the kingdoms of the world, all the splendor is his. That it was given to him. That it is his to do with as he will, even to give it away if he so chooses.

What?

Yeah, the world we live in is the domain of the Devil. Take one look at social media or advertising and marketing and it's not so hard to believe. But, that is a topic for another discussion.

Here Satan is trying to play to the vanity in the Human side of Jesus. The natural greed and want for more that resides in us. But again, Jesus is more than human and again Jesus quotes scripture to him. He is telling him what we know as Deuteronomy.

Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. -Deuteronomy 6:13

Jesus is showing us here that no matter what this world has to offer, no matter how much stuff you own, money you have or how fancy your car is, it does not matter. We are to serve God and God only.

When we put everything we have into what we own, what we have we are not putting God first. When all we care about is having the latest iphone or the newest car or the highest priced cloths, we are putting that stuff first. And here is what Jesus knew that some of us still don't quite get. We can't take any of it with us.

We should not worship these material things but place God first in our lives. He knows what we want and He knows what we need. He will always provide for us when we worship the Lord God and serve Him only. And when he does it is oh so easy to...

Press on. Fight the good fight. As a Soldier for Christ.