Matthew 4:8-11
Why would Jesus put up with the devil and his schemes?
It is necessary that Jesus experiences temptation as all other men do. Satan knows that these specific temptations were the best means of causing Jesus to stumble. These specific temptations may not work on you or me. Jesus had to be effectively tempted to demonstrate the means of resistance. The means of resistance is demonstrated by the Lord using three attributes in unison. Through truth by using the scriptures in right context (2 Timothy 2:15). Through love of the Father in obedience (John 14:24, 15:10). Through humility of service to God alone and not Himself or creation (John 4:20-24). In these things, Christ shows us the perfect example of the child of God (John 13:15, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Peter 2:21).
Why would they go up to the top of a high mountain?
Matthew indicates the purpose for going to a high mountain was to see the kingdoms of the world. The specific mountain is not named. Some might reflect to the description of the view from Nebo afforded to Moses by God before he died (Deuteronomy 43:1-3). But the meaning of the presentation by Matthew has a greater scale than that presented to Moses. The statement pertains to all kingdoms in contrast to the coming kingdom which belongs to Jesus. Satan portends a dominion governed by Jesus that would be in-fact inferior to the kingdom designed by God (Micah 4:1-5, Daniel 2:44-45). It is a kingdom to be constituted by souls from all kingdoms of the world.
Is there such a mountain that one can see all the kingdoms of the earth from its top?
Not physically. The closest someone could come is to define the kingdoms as composing a certain region but this is not the meaning.
What was it about the kingdoms of the earth that the devil wanted to show to Jesus?
The sense of authority and power wielded so as to control their fellow man is desired by some as much as others desire the lust of the eyes or the lust of the flesh. Satan was promising what no other man could do outside of the blessing of God. He offered control over all humankind. While there have been empires that have been declared in governance of the entire civilized world, there has never been an empire over all mankind. What Satan offered is still lesser than the kingdom that was at hand under the command of the Father.
What does Matthew mean by the glory of the kingdoms of the earth?
There are certain aspects of every kingdom or empire that bring them to prominence. That can be technological or cultural, but they mark the greatness of that kingdom. The problem is, the glory of these kingdoms, empires, and nations is brought about by men in the wisdom of men. What is promised to Jesus and those that follow Him into the promised kingdom will attain to an infinitely greater glory. It is a glory that belongs to God (1 Timothy 1:16) but is blessed to the Lord and those that make up the eternal kingdom (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
What definition would Satan give for the glory of the kingdoms of the earth?
It would be all the things that entice a soul to rebel against God (Jude 1:11). But anyone that does so only follows the example of their father (John 8:44). Satan believes he is the glory of the kingdoms which is the perfect antithesis of the Christ. This is rebellion.
What definition would Jesus give for the glory of the kingdoms of the earth?
Christ is stated to be the Light of the world and the glory of the people of Israel (Luke 2:32). The true people of Israel are the inheritors of the promise to Jacob through faith. Therefore, Satan, stating a revelation of the glory of the kingdoms is factually lying because Christ is the glory to be attained to in as much as His kingdom is among the world and should be sought (Matthew 6:33). Not the peculiarities of the nations based on this world. All things we have in the world is intended for the use of glorifying God in the name of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Satan said he would give all the kingdoms of the earth to Jesus if Jesus would worship him. Did Satan have this authority?
Luke records the statement by Satan as a claim that such authority has been given to him. The implication is that the Father allows such authority. Such power that Satan has is not defined by blessing or life, but a power defined in death (Hebrews 2:14). This is a power without authority due to the fact that Satan cannot force us to follow him. “The devil made me do it”, is a lie. All the devil can do is deceive us (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Over what did Satan have authority?
Those that were willing to follow him (Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 5:19). We submit ourselves to a master. Choose who it will be, God or Satan (James 4:7).
What would it mean if Jesus did worship Satan?
If Jesus would have succumbed to the temptations of Satan then He would have given up the authority given to Him to be in subjection to an inferior identity and power.
Did or does anyone “worship” Satan?
There are some that claim to worship Satan. They are reveling in the illusion of liberty from the authority of God and the consequence of rejecting Him.
Did those that “worship” Satan have authority over all the kingdoms of the earth?
This is the story of many books, movies, etc. Sell your soul to the devil for a great “reward”. Make a sacrifice of something (someone) you love in order to receive great power. The problem with this is the lie that leads to the supposed proposition. That is, that Satan has any such real power. True power is what endures. With evil, the only thing that endures is the absence of God unless the evil doer repents. There have been great leaders of nations and empires on the earth but they did not rule all the earth. Jesus has the authority to grant what does endure. That is, eternal life. Satan offered to Jesus what he couldn’t give to anyone else before or after.
What power does anyone have that worships anything or anyone?
Only what the worshipped has authority and ability to bestow on the worshiper. If we worship the created, such as the sun, earth, animals, science, government, etc. then they only can give to us what power they have authority to offer. Last I checked, my dog isn’t offering and doesn’t have anything to offer. Same goes for the all the other entities. Science is what God made it and government is made up of men. Worshipping other people, no matter what organization or society they comprise, is not an alternative to God who authorizes them (Daniel 3, Romans 1:24-25).
What was the response of Jesus to Satan?
“You shall worship the Lord your God and you shall serve Him only.”
What scripture does Jesus quote in order to answer Satan?
This comes from Deuteronomy 6:13.
How do we know we only worship God?
Based on the instructions given in scriptures. In truth, John 4:23-24. By the Spirit, Philippians 3:3. With a clear conscience, 2 Timothy 1:3.
To whom or what do we serve?
The word used here is latreuo which means “to minister”. By Paul’s example, we serve the Lord through the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:9). Through Christ’s blood (gospel and doctrine, one and the same) we serve the living God (Hebrews 9”14).
Is there a connection between worshipping and serving?
To worship someone is to show reverence to them and express our submission to the worshipped. To serve someone or something is to minister, or work for, the worshipped. In worship, we declare our love, but in serving, we show our love. John 14:15.
What constitutes worship in the case as Jesus has answered Satan?
A full commitment of our entire lives. This love we have for our creator is demonstrated in worship that is completed by obedience (James 2:22). The Lord here says we shall serve no one else. Therefore, our worship must be true to the instructions given on the method of worship. The following verses help in illustrating the necessity of loyalty to God and only God.
Jer. 25:6 Do not go after other gods to serve and worship them, or provoke me to anger with the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’
Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
If Christ did worship Satan, what would it look like in this case? What was Satan actually demanding of the Lord?
Christ worshipping Satan would have been quite simple. It would be denying the purpose that the Father had for Christ. Therefore, everything coming before would be forsaken as it was completed and fulfilled in order to bring the Son to this point. This would require Christ to deny and forsake His very being and reality. John 1:1-5.
