Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.” Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.” Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”
For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.” Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”
The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.
This reminds me of fairy tales where there’s a goblin that the protaganist has to get past by answering a riddle or saying the right words in order to cross the bridge.
Jesus knew the power of the word of God; there was not sermon to help Satan understand it or book given to him to elaborate on it. In 40 words Jesus manages to come disarm Satan; wow I wish I understood the power of the words of God in the same way.
I find Jesus’ response quite astounding. He managed to do all of this when he was exhuasted and hungry. I know how adversely those things can affect my patience and ability to respond to situations appropriately. Also Jesus not only understood the power of God’s word his knowledge of it was so comprehensive that he could apply the right bits instantly. It reminds me of how much further I have to travel as a christian.
We all have to learn to recognise temptation and deal with it in the same way- read the bible and let the right words, the Word, shine in our hearts and speak for us when we are attacked. Amen to that. Thank you Jesus.