Title: Final match (Mt 04:8-11)
Content The devil tempted Jesus in order to make him sin. The same goes for the tests that come to us. If we fall into that temptation or temptation, the result is sin. We often fall into temptation and sin, but what does it mean for Jesus to fall into temptation and sin? Why would the devil use his power to tempt Jesus and make him sin?
Jesus took on the sins of mankind and became the Savior, and the qualification for a Savior here is that He must have no sin. If you have a sin, you cannot be a sacrifice to take the place of another's sin. In the Old Testament, the use of a lamb without blemish symbolically represents the sinless Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, the priest also symbolizes Jesus Christ, and when the priest comes before God to receive forgiveness for the sins of the people, he takes the blood of an animal. The animal's blood symbolizes death. However, before the sins of the people are forgiven, they first enter the sanctuary with blood to have their sins forgiven. Only then can we enter again with the blood for the sins of the people.
Jesus takes on the sins of mankind and becomes the savior, and if a sin is found in Jesus, he will have to die for that sin. That is why his death is for his own sin, not a substitutionary death for others. That is the reason the devil is persistent in trying to put Jesus into temptation. This is because if Jesus falls into temptation and commits even a small sin, he will immediately lose his qualifications as a savior.
After failing in the first and second temptations, the devil tempts Jesus in the third and final temptation. It is very explicit and challenging, unlike the first or second exam. The first and second tests were, 'If you are the Son of God, try this'. As a devil who has failed the first and second tests, he has nothing to lose. So it comes out very loud. If you fail in this last test, you will be kicked out, and if you are lucky enough to succeed, you will hit the jackpot. In this way, the devil uses various methods and strategies to test the saints. Therefore, we should not be reassured or confident that we have passed the test once.
They say that when a mouse chased by a cat comes to a dead end, it turns and runs to bite the cat? The Devil, who has no other number, plays the last card on this board. When I take Jesus to a high mountain and show him the kingdoms of the world and their glory, what they say is that if you bow down and worship me, I will give you everything. At first glance, it may seem like a nonsensical test, but if you look closely, you can see how dangerous and vicious the devil's test is.
What is the devil looking for here? The devil is promising Jesus the glory of the world. God sent his Son into the world, the road to suffering and death. But the devil promises glory. God said to go and die, but the devil says there is no need for that. God tells us to go and humble ourselves, but the devil tells us to be exalted. God tells us to go and serve, but the devil tells us to rule. God tells us to go and take up the cross and save sinners by death, but the devil says that if he bows down to him once, he will give him the kingdom of heaven and its glory. Which is more attractive, God's Word or the devil's promises? Which one suits our character better?
One of the most powerful ways the devil tempts us is to make us disappointed with God. How could God do this to me? If God really loves me, why is he letting this happen to me? If God exists, why is this happening?
I saw a sister say this a few days ago. “I don’t think God loves me. My mother is dead.” It's not that I don't understand the sadness of losing my mother. We also know that it is difficult to control our emotions in such a desperate and extreme environment. However, most of us tend to blame God or blame God when we experience pain and misfortune. When you feel sorry for God, who is aiming for that moment? Who is fanning that sad heart?
In this way, the devil comes to us as if God is the one who disappoints us, while he pretends to be a promise of happiness and fulfillment. God tells you to die on the cross, but why do you have to? Bow down to me and worship me, all the glory of all the nations under the heavens will be yours.
In fact, are we not experiencing this temptation of the devil every day? What are you doing all night studying for the exam? There's a simple way... What tax are you trying to pay so much? Is there any way to not pay? How much profit can you make if you lie only once, but you can't do that? bow down to me just once In this way, the devil promises a rosy vision as a bait to bow down to him only once. But they are all things that stimulate our desires. It is betraying God.
When you say bowing down to the devil and worshiping him, you may be reminded of some satanic religion, grotesque people who worship Satan and perform terrible rituals. So it may seem like it has nothing to do with us who believe in God. But the truth is, we don't know how many times we betray God by being deceived by the devil's lies, whether we know it or not. From small things to big events, we are not free from this devil's temptation.
In fact, it is unlikely that even the devil would have thought that Jesus would be defeated by this temptation. Even though he put on a human being and descended to the weakest and lowest place, he is still God. That God cannot bow down and worship the devil and enjoy the glory that the devil bestows on him. Perhaps this temptation of the devil seems to be aimed at us. Jesus is not one who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but in all things he has been tempted as we are. Maybe He is going to be tested on our behalf or on our behalf.
Jesus' response is also very firm, because the devil's temptation is very blatant and reveals the worst dirty intentions. “Go away, Satan!” You don't know how powerful this one word is. Many of us become prisoners of Satan because we cannot utter these words. When the devil's temptations come upon us, when the devil sweetly whispers rosy promises into our ears, we say, "Go away, Satan!" I find it very difficult to say this one word. Will we be able to resolutely cry out, “Go away, Satan!” in the face of the devil's secret and subtle temptations? How many times have our hearts been torn between the word of God and the whisperings of the devil? How wonderful and beautiful it would be if, at that very moment, we could boldly cry out, “Go away, Satan!” and resist the temptation and obey God's Word.
Of course, we all know this, and it's easy to say, but I admit that it's not easy in the concrete things we encounter in our lives. It may mean that we are so weak. However, to be robbed and taken away while wandering is to worship the devil and to be under his control. Only when we keep in mind that it is our duty and the way to live to worship and serve the Lord our God, we can resolutely resist and overcome the temptations of the devil.
The devil keeps coming and testing people who are hesitant and hesitant, but he avoids those who are resolutely opposing and leaves. That's why the Apostle James said so. “Fight the devil. Then I will flee from you” (James 4:7).
When Jesus overcame temptation and defeated the devil, the devil left and who came to visit. Angels come and minister to the Lord. How would the angels minister to the Lord, who had starved for 40 days? You must have brought food that the Lord liked. I don't know if it's fried chicken or jjajangmyeon, surrounded by angels, but how much joy and glory was overflowing at the place where Jesus ate delicious food.
Brothers and sisters, remember that when we rely on God's word and power to resist the devil and overcome the temptation, angels come and rejoice with us and help us. And in heaven, the angels of heaven will rejoice before God because of our victory. Because our victory is also God's victory.
It is not only when great trials come that we must resist the devil and win. Rather, the devil can weaken and overthrow us with temptations that are not like temptations. Just as a person who is faithful in small things can be faithful in big things, so a person who is defeated by a small test cannot overcome a big test. In the name of the Lord, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become all the saints who give glory to God by defeating the temptations of the devil that come in various ways in your daily life with faith and winning.