Tempted to Power | Matthew 4:8-10

Matthew 4:8-10“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

The last temptation was possibly the greatest. Satan had tried using hunger, then pride, and when nothing else had worked, he laid his final and most costly offer on the table: the world, its kingdoms, and all its glory. I imagine the vision included all the wealth of Egypt, the palaces of the Roman kingdoms, the armies and masses of gold, and the feast of carnal pleasures that the elite have sold their souls for down through the ages. Yet once again, Jesus withstood the temptation with the Word of God as His defense.

There is a lot to learn about temptation in these verses—when it is likely to come (after our commitment to serve, when we need what is being offered most) and how to withstand it (by the Word of God). But I’m particularly interested in this last temptation and what it teaches us.

It shows us that Satan is willing to pay a high price for worship. Satan has mountains of gold, titles, and positions to negotiate with, but see them for what they are—wood, hay, and stubble that will burn up the moment they enter the judgment of God. He will give you this world in exchange for your soul, but remember Jesus's words: "what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Notice Jesus’ response: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Many Christians believe they can have it all—they can serve Christ and mammon. They take the bait while telling the Lord how they are going to use it for good. God does not want your wealth; He wants your worship. Remember Saul, who disobeyed God, took the best of the cattle that he was supposed to slay, and said it was for an offering to the Lord? The Lord responded by telling him obedience is better than sacrifice and snatched the kingdom away from him.

God wants us totally. “Him only shalt thou serve.” He wants all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our soul. Don’t fall prey to selling pieces of yourself for the wealth of this world. Stand as Christ did and reply: “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”