Matthew 4:8-11 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if by falling down you will worship me.” 10Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan. For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
The devil’s third temptation calls into question Jesus’ devotion to God as sovereign. The ultimate compromise was to shift focus from doing the Father’s will. Again, this temptation sought to deceive Jesus into thinking less of God, which would then compromise his self-understanding as Son. Verse 8 contains hyperbolic language with the ability to see all the kingdoms of the world, which obviously could not be seen in a physical way from one mountain top; however, the basic idea is clear. The devil was appealing to Jesus’ sight. A high mountain allowed Jesus to see far and wide and take in the vista of the glory of humanity.
The devil’s last attempt seems absurd and desperate but also shows the descent one experiences when giving in to the previous temptations. Compromise diverts our worship from God to the devil. People may not realize how serious their situation is when they follow the path of deceit. Verse 9 raises the question whether Satan evil had the authority and ability to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. His power is limited. This temptation was a bold lie. The devil tempts us also with power, position, and prestige but cannot truly provide them. This promise is empty. A small compromise can grow until it reaches the point that Satan possesses one’s mind and heart.
Jesus’ command is strong, and the devil has no option but to go away. Jesus is sovereign and in full control. He again appeals to Scripture from Deuteronomy 6:13 as the source of his strength against temptation. It is obvious that he spent time memorizing the Torah since he could recall it at the moment of his greatest physical weakness. The passage he cites gives the fundamental confession of faith that every human should make and must one day acknowledge. God gives us the choice to worship him in this life, but all people will bow before his sovereignty at judgment.
After this temptation, the devil was defeated. No other temptation could be given at that moment because Jesus had passed the ultimate test. His identity and mission were confirmed. Luke 4:13 adds the thought that the devil left Jesus temporarily “until an opportune time.” This was not the only time the devil tempted Jesus. As fully human, Jesus faced the same types of challenges we face but he came out victorious because he trusted in God completely. He set the pattern for us also to have victory over temptation. Jesus was at a weakened and compromised physical state. The Father came to his rescue by sending angels (and wild animals in Mark 1:13) to assist him and nurse him back to health.
Although Jesus’ tests were unique as the Son of God, we will face the same type of temptations to compromise our worship of God because of physical needs, and desires for material things. Our identity as followers of Jesus will be challenged with doubts and fears, but we can find help in our time of need by turning to the promises God has given us in the Bible.
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