So a couple weeks ago Ps. Z spoke about the things Satan tempted Jesus with while He was in the desert. He pointed out that Jesus went on this prayer and fast journey to get clear direction; we should do the same - seek God's direction through prayer and fasting before making life altering decisions. And as Christ fasted, the enemy challenged Him in three ways that we are often challenged when facing those big decisions. First Satan challenged Jesus' identity. It wasn't about how hungry He was, it was about questioning His Son-ship and ability - "If you really are the Son of God, you could do this." Jesus' response is one of confident authority, "Yes, but I am not what I can do or what I have/can get. I am whose I am!" What a powerful concept! This lines up perfectly with the Ps. Mike's point that we are Known by God, that He longs for relationship with us. And it also reminds us that our gifts and abilities are to be subordinate to God, they are to be used in His service, for His glory!
The next challenge is about trust. Satan surely knows the Word, he just doesn't understand the power of the Word! Jesus responds here with the idea that we are not to test our Father; He reminds us that trusting God isn't about jumping off buildings to prove points, it doesn't mean He will enable or bless life-threatening, selfish behavior. Trusting Him means we accept the life He gives us with all it's ups and downs and ins and outs; it means we have faith that He works all together for our good through the chaos and turmoil we might face.
Finally, Satan challenges Christ's thirst for power. He says, "You can have all of this, if only you will worship me." Surprisingly Jesus doesn't question the enemy's power to give Him a grand kingdom, He just refuses any power that is not subordinate to God. This is quite a revelation - I've never thought of this temptation and refusal that way. But it's true, we must remember that God has ultimate power and any power or authority that we have here on earth is given by and through Him and, again, should be used for His glory. So, how do you exert power? under whose authority, by whose name? Are you exercising your will over anyone? or is it surrendered to God?
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