Jump Start # 425 

Matthew 4:8-10 “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”

  This is the final temptation of Jesus that Matthew describes. We find Satan again taking Jesus on a journey to a very high mountain. Like the temptation on the top of the temple, there are some questions that this raises. Did they actually go to a high mountain? Satan is a spiritual being, not a physical being, how did all of this take place? Some of these thoughts we may never know the answers to. We trust God and by faith believe that this is as it is written.

  There were many mountains surrounding Jerusalem. If that is where they went, what would Jesus have seen from up there? The city of Jerusalem and a few small villages. Not quite the image of “all the kingdoms of the world.” There must have been something special that Satan showed Jesus. He was appealing to his pride. He was offering the Lord a golden carrot. The glory of the kingdoms would be the brightest spots, the riches, the monuments, the magnificent buildings, the very things that a nation is proud to own and display. More than that, it was the power of the kingdoms. Jesus would have the kingdoms.

  Satan was offering Jesus what He would later have. After the resurrection, Jesus ascended to the right hand of God where He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Satan was offering Jesus this without the cross, it was a shortcut. The glory without the pain.

  Many thoughts come up here:

1. The kingdoms didn’t belong to Satan in the first place. They were not his to give. The Bible does call Satan the ‘Prince of the world,’ but that does not mean the planet and all that is on it belongs to him. He may assume that position, but it’s not his.

2. Only God is to be worshipped—no one else. Angels are not worshipped. Apostles are not worshipped. Saints, living or dead are not worshipped. Only God. When John saw an angel, he fell to worship him. The angel told him no, not to do that. Satan, especially is not to be worshipped. He is wicked, evil and not worthy of praise. The word worship comes from the Latin and means “Worth-ship” – it is to appreciate the worth of someone or something. Satan has no value. There is nothing about him that is praise worthy. He has done nothing good. He is wicked, dark and corrupt.

3. Satan lies. Jesus knew that. The gospel of John tells us that Satan lied from the very beginning. Someone who lies cannot be trusted. When Satan offers kingdoms, that can’t be counted on.

4. All of this was an attempt to thwart the plans of God. Satan couldn’t stop Jesus. The cross was the end of Satan. The death, burial and resurrection of Christ meant that man could be redeemed. It meant that the grave wasn’t the end for man. Jesus was the first fruits of those who would be raised to live forever. As God promised in the garden,  the head of the serpent would be crushed. That came about at the death and resurrection of Christ.

5. In this third temptation, Satan doesn’t say, “If you are the Son of God.” He’s tried that twice and it didn’t work. He is forth right and bold and says without shame, “worship me.”

  Jesus can’t be bought. Jesus can’t be sidetracked. Jesus can’t be fooled. I’m thankful for that. Wish I could say that, but I can’t. That’s why Satan is so deadly to us. We listen when he lies. We see the glitter of temptation but fail to see the horrific consequences. He messes with our minds. He finds opportunities and provides the justification why we should do what he says.

  He’s no good. We need to remember that. We need to see Jesus here and keep our eyes upon the Savior. It is interesting this time Jesus tells Satan, “Go.” Jesus has had enough. No more. Get out of my way and get out of my life! James says, “resist the Devil and he will flee from you.” What better way to resist than to simple say, “Go.” Leave me alone, Satan. He can not be trusted. He doesn’t play by the rules and he doesn’t care how much damage he causes.

  Today as you go about your life, Satan has his eyes upon you. He’s watching. He’ll be at work before you get there and he’ll beat you home. He’ll try to use people, music, things, to get you away from Jesus. He wants your church, your marriage, but above all, your heart. He can’t take it, he must trick you into giving it to him. “Go, Satan,” must be our words.

  When temptation knocks on the door of your heart, try to get through the moment. Prayer helps. Filling your mind with good helps. Getting out of the situation helps. Being around people helps, especially righteous people. Holding on to the words of God helps. Finally, you may just have to say, “Go, Satan!” It worked for Jesus. It’ll work for you.

Roger