Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Jesus Tempted

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."


Hebrews 4:15 is a text of great grace for all of us when it states that Jesus was tempted in every way, yet he was without sin.

The third temptation that satan hit Jesus with was the glamor of this world. This temptation took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world at one time. Satan then said, "All this I'll give you if you bow down and worship me." What did Jesus see? Here are just a few...


Inca









India








New York City








Egypt








Mexico City











England







Jesus replies, "Get away from me satan - the Word says you shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." He stuck to the Torah for it's words are life. All the great kingdoms of man are temporary where as God's city is eternal. No remodeling ever. God is there and sin and temptation are not. The supreme architect and builder has erected the heavenly city for us.

Observations:

1. If satan has this power, what does God have?
2. God might let us see all of history in eternity - cool!
3. Heaven must be beyond description for Jesus to see all of the kingdoms of man and walk away.

2 comments:

Mike said...

Joe,

Glad to see you on the blogosphere.
Hope you'll keep an eye on the Church for Men blog and tell me what you think.

Just posted a YouTube link about Ray and Susan Kelley.

Anonymous said...

When Satan showed Jesus the World, I am sure Jesus saw all the wonderful places depicted in your images. However, since he was immersed in the Word and since He was and IS the Word, I wonder if HE saw what Satan really had to offer had he succumbed to his temptation. Jesus knew Satan and what he was offering. I belive Jesus saw beyond the World and saw Worldliness and what the World had to offer those who would worship Satan rather than obeying God.

I think Jesus saw lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God. I believe he saw pride, arrogance, bitterness, hatred, adultery, gossip, murder, theft, drunkeness, addiction, lying, strife, unhappiness, misery, and all the other sins that Satan represents. Would to God that we go deep in the Word and be obedient as Jesus was!!! Thanks for being a preacher of the WORD.