Alone in the desert with nothing but His thoughts and growling stomach, Jesus awaits the coming battle with Satan. He has been fasting forty days, spending time in prayer preparing Himself mentally and spiritually. When Satan enters the battlefield, he first attacks Jesus where He is logically most vulnerable, the stomach long awaiting nourishment. When this one fails, Satan then moves on to money and power, finally challenging Jesus in the arena of status. Were these simply random assault choices, or were they more of a calculated strike?

All of these temptations are related to Jesus’ mission on earth.  If Jesus gives into the temptation and does what Satan is telling Him, the cross is no longer an option to save mankind from their sin because at that point Jesus would not be a worthy sacrifice.  If Jesus does Satan’s will, He would at that point be a sinner just like the people He came to save.

v     Turn stones to bread…or…“You can provide for Yourself, You don’t need God.”

v     Worship Satan and receive wealth and power…or…“You don’t need to go to the cross, I can just give the power and authority to You.”

v     Jump off the pinnacle of the temple because God will not let Jesus get hurt…or…“You can serve the Father on Your terms.  God will do whatever You tell Him to do.”

Notice in the 3rd temptation that Satan incorrectly uses a passage of Scripture himself to attempt to trap Jesus.  Satan quotes Psalms 91:11-12.  When the psalmist wrote this, he was not referring to Jesus alone.  If somebody looks at the first two verses in this psalm, the psalmist is talking about those who take refuge in the Lord.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God , in whom I trust.” -Psalm 91:1-2

Take a look at how Jesus answers Satan after each of these temptations. Jesus does not attempt to reason with him. Jesus does not attempt to bargain with him. Jesus does not simply ignore Satan’s onslaught. Each challenge is met with Scripture. Jesus lets God’s Word do the talking for Him.

v     “Man shall not live by bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

v     “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)

v     “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16)

If Satan challenged the Son of God, he will challenge us as well. Being tempted is not a sin; however, giving into Satan’s whims is. The Tempter is smart, observant, and untiring. He simply watches, patiently waiting for the right moment to ambush or blindside his enemy. He did not give up attempting to seduce Jesus. Satan merely waited until a “more opportune time” according to Luke 4:13. If we successfully stand against him once, he will continue to try when least expected. The best thing we can do is prepare ourselves for the inevitable battle that faces us each day.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

-Ephesians 6:10-13