Jesus in the Desert

The temptation of Jesus is found in Luke 4:1-13 as well as Matthew 4:1-11 and a shorter version in Mark 1:12,13. All three authors specifically state that the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert for the purpose of the temptation and the period lasted forty days. Luke specifically states that Jesus was tempted by the devil for the entire forty-day ordeal. However the only reference to what was actually said between Jesus and Satan takes place at the end of the forty days.

Forty days is a significant number for at least three reasons. The rainfall that caused the flood that only Noah’s family survived lasted forty days (Genesis 7:17). Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days receiving instructions on how the Israelites were to conduct themselves (Exodus 24:18). Jonah told the people of Nineveh that they would be destroyed in forty days (Jonah 3:4). Jesus obviously selected a forty-day fast because of the importance of that number.

What Satan said to Jesus at the end of forty days is fascinating in the human sense. Luke states the Satan tries to persuade Jesus to turn stones into bread as the first temptation. Upon failing, he then shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and offers them to Jesus if He will pay homage to Satan. Strike two. Finally, Satan takes Jesus to the highest point of the temple and tries to get Him to jump off claiming that Jesus would not be hurt because he is the Son of God. Strike three. Then Satan leaves. Finally, now Jesus has some peace and quiet.

Lets take a look at what Satan offered Jesus and the cost of each reward. First Satan tries to persuade Jesus to turn stones to bread, a simple enough task for someone who will soon turn water into wine. The stones could have been turned into bread as any time during the forty-day fast, yet Satan waits until the last day to temp Jesus. Apparently, a fast was not considered over until sunset and Satan was trying to get Jesus to break His fast before the proper time and at the time when Jesus would have been weakest. Satan is a trickster, no doubt about that. He probably said to Jesus, “What’s the big deal, you have been at this for forty days why not end the fast now a few hours before sunset? God won’t mind.” Nevertheless, Jesus holds his ground. He can wait until after sunset.

Second, Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. That means the Roman Empire, the Mongol Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and all the other empires that existed from that time until now including America. Jesus would have had the power to control certain events just as Satan does now. No doubt Satan had considerable influence in Germany during the Hitler years. Hitler’s commitment to remove all Jews from Europe must have come from Satan. Who else would have any reason to wipe out the entire Jewish population in Europe?

Third, Satan takes Jesus to jump from a high point on the temple. This seems to be a test of Jesus’ own faith. Would Jesus be willing to take a dive to prove to Satan that He trusted God enough to spare Him injury? Once again Jesus uses scripture to keep Satan at bay.

Satan offers Jesus three things that are common to the fulfillment of man. First, changing stones to bread satisfies the need of daily sustenance. The need for daily bread is emphasized in the Lord’s Prayer. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Man’s first desire is to fulfill his need for food.

Second, Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. This represents man’s need for power, or control over his life. We all want our ventures in life to come to fruition. No one wants to open up a business and watch it fail. No one wants to paint a picture that others will not like. We want to be successful. People who own large businesses are considered successful. The same can be said about people who have power and influence. What Satan offered Jesus is what we consider success.

Third Satan tries to get Jesus to take a dive to prove He won’t get hurt. This represents man’s desire not to get hurt in what we attempt to do in life. Whether it is the fear of rejection when we ask someone out for a date, or attempt to ski down a slope we have never tried before. We don’t mind the challenge as long as there is no pain. Yes it is true; Satan knows just what man wants.

All three tests lead us to ask a more intriguing set of questions. What was the point of asking Jesus all these questions? Did Satan tempt Jesus with doubts about His own belief that He was the Son of God? Or was Satan wondering if Jesus was the Son of God and wanted proof to confirm his theory. When Jesus was a man He experienced the same things we experience every day. Satan knew this and attacked Jesus with the experience he had in dealing with humans. Satan wanted to destroy Jesus either emotionally, or physically it didn’t matter. All that mattered is that he succeed in ruining the man Jesus.

Jesus was tempted in all way just as we are yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Satan tempts believer’s everyday with doubts about their salvation, doubts about whether God hears their prayers and even doubts if God exists. He has been at this a long time and doesn’t take a vacation.

Sooner or later all believers end up in a desert. While we are there we will experience temptation and pain. Consider the example that Jesus gave us when He was in the desert. Quote scripture and stay focused.