June 26, 2025 • 22 mins
When Satan attempts to tempt Jesus at His weakest, will the Son of Man stand firm or fall like those before Him?
In this episode, we delve into the powerful confrontation between Jesus and Satan during His 40-day fast in the wilderness, showcasing how Jesus overcame temptation through His unwavering connection with God. As the enemy attempts to exploit His weakness, Jesus stands firm, resisting Satan’s deceptions and demonstrating His divine authority.
Today's Bible verse is Hebrews 4:15, from the King James Version.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
For we don't have a high priest who can't be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who
has been in all points tempted like we are, yet
without sin Hebrews four fifteen. Heavenly Father, we thank you
for Jesus, our compassionate high Priest, who understands our struggles
(00:22):
and empathize us with our weaknesses. We acknowledge our deep
need for your grace and mercy, for we are often
tempted and fall short. Lord, transform our hearts to be
more like Christ, who faced every temptation yet remain sinless.
(00:42):
Grant us the strength to resist the temptations we encounter
daily and fill us with your spirit to walk in holiness.
Empower us to be a source of comfort and understanding
to others, reflecting Christ's love and compassion in all we do.
(01:03):
And in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Thank you for
praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast.
Remain here as we launch a new mini series about
Jesus and Demons. Be sure to follow this podcast on
whatever platform you listen to, and for more inspiring stories
(01:25):
to last a lifetime, download Theprey Dot com app today.
The warm glow of dusk blanketed the skies over Judea.
Jesus stood looking over the land, the creation he had
spoken into existence and declared as good. The sound of
(01:47):
chirping crickets began to harmonize with the rustling grass. The
tranquility of the sprawling landscape matched that of Jesus's soul,
just time for Jesus to begin his fast, depriving his
body of food for forty days. But this wasn't a
burden for him. He would remove comfort and cling to God,
(02:12):
replacing his physical meals with spiritual ones. His baptism of
water and spirit had been an affirmation that Jesus had
been sent from God to accomplish the will of the Father.
Now the spirit drove him into the wilderness to prepare
for the years of work ahead. Though he wouldn't be
(02:36):
accompanied by his companions, Jesus was not alone. An ancient enemy,
far too familiar to Jesus, lurked among the reeds behind him,
waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. This enemy knew
he was no match for Jesus in all of his
heavenly power, But perhaps he thought to himself he could
(02:59):
over come the son of Man if he attacked him
at his weakest, so he patiently waited to employ his
venomous plans. In one fluid motion, Jesus lifted his bag
over his shoulders and his eyes to the heavens.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe,
who gives sustenance to the heart, mind, and body. May
this fast draw my heart close to yours.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Jesus heart was eased when talking with his father. Every
second spent a biding in his heavenly love was a
warm embrace to every part of his being. The serpent
hidden in the grass, however, scowled at his words. He
had once idolized closeness with God, but his vain, glorious
(03:53):
nature had done its part to turn all of his
attention inward. He drew back and slithered through the dust,
a momentary retreat before he would wait his war.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
People often make the mistake in thinking that Jesus and
Satan are equal rivals in the battle of good versus evil.
While this couldn't be further from the truth. While Satan
may be an adversary, he isn't an equal. No one
can rival Jesus Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. This is
Ethan from pray dot Com here to welcome you to
(04:31):
another miniseries inspired by the Gospels. We're taking a few
weeks in October to explore stories of Jesus' struggle against
the evil forces of darkness. We're taking a few weeks
in October to explore stories of Jesus's confrontation with the
evil forces of darkness. During this season when darkness and
(04:51):
demons are celebrated, we want to shed some light on
Jesus's relationship with demons, Satan, and the forces of darkness
that would seek to keep us from God. Today, we're
delving into a story that might make you rethink your
next desert hike, or at least pack a better lunch.
Let's explore a saga inspired by Luke chapter four, verses
(05:14):
one through thirteen, where Jesus faces off against temptation in
the wilderness. This isn't just a tale of survival. It's
a masterclass in spiritual resilience.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Day slowly turned into weeks. In the wilderness, for forty days,
Jesus had gone without food, and for forty days, Satan
whispered lies from the shadows he had hoped to chip
away at jesus morale as his body began eating away
at itself. Sure enough, Jesus mind was experiencing the dull
(05:50):
effects of starvation. He refused to cut any corners. During
his time on earth. He would feel the weakness of
humanity in full force, identifying with mankind in every way,
but he would do so without sin. His body trembled,
(06:10):
longing for any form of sustenance. But the desperation to
fill one's physical needs while fasting is God's reminder of
our desperate need to fill our spiritual ones. The weary
Messiah groaned a prayer to the Father, pushing his agony aside.
Then was at this moment that a slithering presence emerged
(06:34):
from the cover of darkness to interrupt jesus strained focus.
He slid his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Ah, look eats the Son of God, shaking like a
starving anamal.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
His voice was quiet and sharp, like the silent sting
of a scorpion. Yet it would take more than that
to pierce the hardened shell of the Messiah. Satan could
perceive jesus resoluteness and In an instant, his tactic changed.
His voice became calmer, like a mother trying to calm
(07:15):
her crying infant.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
If you truly are the son of God, why not
just to command these stones to become brown. Surely decreable
himself deserves some food.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Satan's feign sympathy was not lost on Jesus. This was
the first temptation known to humanity, the lust of the flesh.
Just as Satan had come to Eve under the guise
of caring for her, he now played the same part
with Jesus. He had seen it work against Adam and
(07:53):
Eve in the garden and hoped history would repeat itself.
Jesus body ache from hunger. The pain was nearly unbearable.
He grasped at his stomach and trembling fingers and considered
for a moment what just a morsel of bread would
do for his emaciated body. Images of his mother carrying
(08:18):
warm bread and flooded his mind. He longed for the
comfort of home, family, and food, but the picture of
his mother only helped remind him of the power of
steadfastness to God. Jesus came to identify with the weakness
of mankind, so that he might free them from the
(08:41):
shackles of sin and death. For him to ease his
starvation would do nothing to ease the people of their
longing for salvation. Jesus knew if he simply turned the
stones into bread, he would take advantage of the power
God gave him, power that was to be used for
(09:02):
the sake of others, not himself. Besides, he did not
need bread. His fasting was a constant reminder that the
comfort of the Father was enough. Jesus, not looking behind him,
replied with scripture.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
It is written, man does not live by bread alone,
but by the very words uttered from God himself.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
It was difficult for Jesus to speak, for he now
lacked the strength to take full breaths. He had a
fever from hunger, and the chills caused him to shiver,
But his mental fortitude kept his body and spirit in
line with the Father's heart. Even in jesus frail state,
(09:52):
the word of God swung down upon the enemy like
a sword. Satan, still behind Jesus scowled. He wasted no
time in whisking Jesus away to his next temptation. In
a flash of light, he took Jesus up in a vision.
A loud crack rang as the two of them appeared
(10:14):
on a high precipice overlooking the earth. Satan stretched out
his arm to show Jesus the nations of the world,
like a merchant, presenting his renowned wares from around the world,
treasuries of earthly kings filled with gold and silver, armies,
(10:35):
thrones and monuments that proclaimed worldly authority. Satan considered each
one to be a jewel in the crown of Creation,
precious bargaining tokens for the Prince of the world to
use against the son of Man.
Speaker 5 (10:52):
You see all these these skingham Sami. They have been
taken by me, and her mind will give all this power,
all this glory could be yours.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Satan exuded a confidence that far surpassed his abilities, but
he was a master of his craft of deception. Never
allowing himself to show his weaknesses, he leaned in closer
to Jesus.
Speaker 5 (11:31):
Look, Son of God, look at all that would be
your struw all you must do his worship.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
This was the second temptation, the lust for power, a
temptation Eve once succumbed to when Satan promised she wouldn't die,
but would instead become like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked
upon the nations. Satan made an enticing offer to rule
(12:07):
over his people once again. Jesus had willingly taken on humanity,
but still being fully guffed, he was the only one
truly deserving of all the nation's praise. The compassionate tear
formed in the corner of Jesus' eye. Before him were
(12:28):
countless lost sheep in desperate need of a shepherd. But
corruption was not the way to win the hearts of men.
Jesus closed his eyes and quoted the scripture once again.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
It is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God,
him and him alone.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
You yourself.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around jesus weary body.
All of a sudden, the two of them were standing
over the Temple of Jerusalem. They were at the highest point,
overlooking the people below. The wind howled as a frail
Jesus stood at the very tip of the massive structure.
(13:13):
Despite his frailness, Jesus's body refused to bend like a
read in the wind. But Satan considered himself to be craftier,
Knowing how Jesus had responded to the first two temptations,
he prepared to lean into Jesus' love of the scriptures.
Satan screamed through the gale, pointing to the people below, behld.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
They want to sign Jesus. They longed to worship. They're
hungry for it. They're waiting for you, son of God.
They're all here waiting for you to show yourself, make
a spectacle and jump off. But you I love.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Now what the strangest say?
Speaker 5 (14:08):
They claimed that the Lord will alreadys Angelus.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
This was the third temptation, the Pride of Life, the
moment sin entered God's perfect creation and fractured mankind's relationship
with him. Jesus looked down at the people coming in
and out of the temple. If they were to see
a man flying on the wings of angels over the
(14:34):
Holy Temple, surely they would worship him. Yet it would
be no greater than a circus act. Jesus knew that
it was not signs and wonders that would save mankind.
He knew what his true purpose was. He had not
come to be served by the people. He came to
(14:55):
serve them.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
You must not test the Lord your God.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Jesus's silent reply was just as much for himself as
it was for his adversary. Though the forty days had
brought Jesus to the limits of what humanity could physically endure,
it had also brought him to the pinnacle of dependence
upon the Lord. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt
(15:21):
him again, But before he could speak, Jesus turned round
with surprising speed, looking Satan in the eyes for the
first time. Doth Jesus rebuke, boomed like thunder, and struck
Satan to his core, causing him to jar back. The
winds whipped round the two in a tornado of light.
(15:45):
Seconds later they ceased. The two of them were standing
in the wilderness once again. Deafening silence surrounded them, broken
only by the occasional soft chirp of the crickets. The
stars were settling high in the sky, and the howling
evening wind rolled over the hills.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
How far you have fallen? Try if you must, But
you and I both know.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
How this will end. Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus.
They were not equals. They never would be. Jesus alone
held true authorship and power of all things, that all
of this only caused the tempter to dig in his heels.
Long ago he had made his choice to turn against God,
(16:37):
and this only path forward was driving deeper into his
evil ways. Satan retreated back into the grass, slithering on
his cursed belly, would spend his days plotting all the
ways he could take the hearts of men away from
the grace and love of God, even if it cost
(16:58):
him everything. For Jesus, his test was over. He had
walked through the valley of darkness and came out in
glorious light. Now that Satan was gone, Jesus exhaled slowly
and enjoyed the solitude. But he still wasn't truly alone.
(17:20):
The Father had never left his side through his plight,
and the Spirit had empowered him every step of the way.
Jesus felt profound comfort in knowing that stepping into creation
didn't mean losing his connection with the Father and Spirit.
In all ways, they would remain one, perfect and wholly.
(17:47):
He departed to eat, recover, and pray. He had successfully
resisted the temptations of the enemy, the same temptations that
had caused Adam and Eve to fall, the same schemes
of the enemy that pushed humanity to stumble for thousands
of generations. Jesus, even in his most weakened state, was
(18:12):
able to overcome it. This would be a foreshadowing of
things to come. Jesus, even at his most afflicted, would
overcome the world.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Jesus, filled with the holy experience, is led into the wilderness,
a barren place where wi fi is nonexistent and uber
eats doesn't deliver. He's there for forty days, fasting and
being tempted by the devil. Now, some might say, why
would the spirit lead him into such a harsh place. Well,
(18:47):
sometimes the most profound lessons are learned in the most
desolate locations. Isn't it interesting how wilderness experiences often follow
mountaintop moments right after his baptism, where heaven literally opens up.
Jesus is navigating rocky terrain and even rockier temptations. It
(19:08):
reminds us that spiritual highs don't exempt us from earthly challenges.
After forty days without food, Jesus is understandably hungry. The
devil shows up and suggests, if you are the son
of God, command this stone to become bred. Now, turning
stones into bread could kickstart the greatest bakery in history.
(19:30):
But Jesus isn't biting the pun intended. He replies, it
is written man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word of God. Jesus prioritizes spiritual nourishment over
physical hunger. It's a lesson for us snackers who think
a midnight frigerate will solve all our problems. Sometimes what
(19:52):
we truly crave isn't found in the pantry, but in
God's word. Next, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms
of the world in a moment and offers them an
exchange for worship. Talk about a fast, tracted power, no elections,
no campaigns, just instant rulership. But Jesus answers, you shall
(20:12):
worship the Lord, your God, and him only you shall serve.
He rejects the allure of power without purpose, glory without God.
It's a reminder that shortcuts often lead us off cliffs
achieving goals. God's way may take longer, but it spares
us from the pitfalls of compromise. Finally, the devil takes
(20:34):
Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and says, throw
yourself down from here, citing scripture that angels will save him.
It's like the devil is saying, let's see if God
really has your back. Jesus responds. Jesus responds, you shall
not tempt the Lord your God. He refuses to manipulate
God's promises for personal spectacle. Faith isn't a tool to
(20:58):
coerce God into acting on our Faith isn't a tool
to coerce God into acting on our whims. It's trust
in his character and timing. It's like refusing to drive
recklessly just because your car has airbags. What can we
learn from Jesus's desert duel with darkness? First, we're reminded
(21:18):
to know the source of our strength. Jesus was filled
with the Holy Spirit and armed with the words of God.
In our battles, are we relying on willpower alone? Or
are we tapping into God's power? Second, we must recognize
the real temptations that would ensnare our souls. The devil
didn't just tempt Jesus to break as fast. He tempted
(21:40):
him to doubt his identity and mission. Similarly, our temptations
often target our purpose and calling. Third, we're reminded not
the twist scripture, but notice how the devil quotes scripture
out of context. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers
of cherry picking verses to justify our des desires. Lastly,
(22:02):
resist and persist. Jesus's temptations didn't end in the wilderness.
Luke notes that the devil departed until an opportune time.
Temptation is persistent, but so can be our resistance. Our
own wilderness experiences are inevitable, but they don't have to
be fruitless. With the Holy Spirit's guiding and the truth
(22:25):
of scripture, we can navigate temptations not just to survive,
but to emerge stronger. So the next time you find
yourself in a metaphorical desert, hungry, tired, or tempted to
take the easy way out, remember that even in the
most barren places, God provides the sustenance we truly need,
For we don't have a high priest who can't be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who
has been in all points tempted like we are, yet
without sin Hebrews four fifteen. Heavenly Father, we thank you
for Jesus, our compassionate high Priest, who understands our struggles
(00:22):
and empathize us with our weaknesses. We acknowledge our deep
need for your grace and mercy, for we are often
tempted and fall short. Lord, transform our hearts to be
more like Christ, who faced every temptation yet remain sinless.
(00:42):
Grant us the strength to resist the temptations we encounter
daily and fill us with your spirit to walk in holiness.
Empower us to be a source of comfort and understanding
to others, reflecting Christ's love and compassion in all we do.
(01:03):
And in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Thank you for
praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast.
Remain here as we launch a new mini series about
Jesus and Demons. Be sure to follow this podcast on
whatever platform you listen to, and for more inspiring stories
(01:25):
to last a lifetime, download Theprey Dot com app today.
The warm glow of dusk blanketed the skies over Judea.
Jesus stood looking over the land, the creation he had
spoken into existence and declared as good. The sound of
(01:47):
chirping crickets began to harmonize with the rustling grass. The
tranquility of the sprawling landscape matched that of Jesus's soul,
just time for Jesus to begin his fast, depriving his
body of food for forty days. But this wasn't a
burden for him. He would remove comfort and cling to God,
(02:12):
replacing his physical meals with spiritual ones. His baptism of
water and spirit had been an affirmation that Jesus had
been sent from God to accomplish the will of the Father.
Now the spirit drove him into the wilderness to prepare
for the years of work ahead. Though he wouldn't be
(02:36):
accompanied by his companions, Jesus was not alone. An ancient enemy,
far too familiar to Jesus, lurked among the reeds behind him,
waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. This enemy knew
he was no match for Jesus in all of his
heavenly power, But perhaps he thought to himself he could
(02:59):
over come the son of Man if he attacked him
at his weakest, so he patiently waited to employ his
venomous plans. In one fluid motion, Jesus lifted his bag
over his shoulders and his eyes to the heavens.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe,
who gives sustenance to the heart, mind, and body. May
this fast draw my heart close to yours.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Jesus heart was eased when talking with his father. Every
second spent a biding in his heavenly love was a
warm embrace to every part of his being. The serpent
hidden in the grass, however, scowled at his words. He
had once idolized closeness with God, but his vain, glorious
(03:53):
nature had done its part to turn all of his
attention inward. He drew back and slithered through the dust,
a momentary retreat before he would wait his war.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
People often make the mistake in thinking that Jesus and
Satan are equal rivals in the battle of good versus evil.
While this couldn't be further from the truth. While Satan
may be an adversary, he isn't an equal. No one
can rival Jesus Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. This is
Ethan from pray dot Com here to welcome you to
(04:31):
another miniseries inspired by the Gospels. We're taking a few
weeks in October to explore stories of Jesus' struggle against
the evil forces of darkness. We're taking a few weeks
in October to explore stories of Jesus's confrontation with the
evil forces of darkness. During this season when darkness and
(04:51):
demons are celebrated, we want to shed some light on
Jesus's relationship with demons, Satan, and the forces of darkness
that would seek to keep us from God. Today, we're
delving into a story that might make you rethink your
next desert hike, or at least pack a better lunch.
Let's explore a saga inspired by Luke chapter four, verses
(05:14):
one through thirteen, where Jesus faces off against temptation in
the wilderness. This isn't just a tale of survival. It's
a masterclass in spiritual resilience.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Day slowly turned into weeks. In the wilderness, for forty days,
Jesus had gone without food, and for forty days, Satan
whispered lies from the shadows he had hoped to chip
away at jesus morale as his body began eating away
at itself. Sure enough, Jesus mind was experiencing the dull
(05:50):
effects of starvation. He refused to cut any corners. During
his time on earth. He would feel the weakness of
humanity in full force, identifying with mankind in every way,
but he would do so without sin. His body trembled,
(06:10):
longing for any form of sustenance. But the desperation to
fill one's physical needs while fasting is God's reminder of
our desperate need to fill our spiritual ones. The weary
Messiah groaned a prayer to the Father, pushing his agony aside.
Then was at this moment that a slithering presence emerged
(06:34):
from the cover of darkness to interrupt jesus strained focus.
He slid his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Ah, look eats the Son of God, shaking like a
starving anamal.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
His voice was quiet and sharp, like the silent sting
of a scorpion. Yet it would take more than that
to pierce the hardened shell of the Messiah. Satan could
perceive jesus resoluteness and In an instant, his tactic changed.
His voice became calmer, like a mother trying to calm
(07:15):
her crying infant.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
If you truly are the son of God, why not
just to command these stones to become brown. Surely decreable
himself deserves some food.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Satan's feign sympathy was not lost on Jesus. This was
the first temptation known to humanity, the lust of the flesh.
Just as Satan had come to Eve under the guise
of caring for her, he now played the same part
with Jesus. He had seen it work against Adam and
(07:53):
Eve in the garden and hoped history would repeat itself.
Jesus body ache from hunger. The pain was nearly unbearable.
He grasped at his stomach and trembling fingers and considered
for a moment what just a morsel of bread would
do for his emaciated body. Images of his mother carrying
(08:18):
warm bread and flooded his mind. He longed for the
comfort of home, family, and food, but the picture of
his mother only helped remind him of the power of
steadfastness to God. Jesus came to identify with the weakness
of mankind, so that he might free them from the
(08:41):
shackles of sin and death. For him to ease his
starvation would do nothing to ease the people of their
longing for salvation. Jesus knew if he simply turned the
stones into bread, he would take advantage of the power
God gave him, power that was to be used for
(09:02):
the sake of others, not himself. Besides, he did not
need bread. His fasting was a constant reminder that the
comfort of the Father was enough. Jesus, not looking behind him,
replied with scripture.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
It is written, man does not live by bread alone,
but by the very words uttered from God himself.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
It was difficult for Jesus to speak, for he now
lacked the strength to take full breaths. He had a
fever from hunger, and the chills caused him to shiver,
But his mental fortitude kept his body and spirit in
line with the Father's heart. Even in jesus frail state,
(09:52):
the word of God swung down upon the enemy like
a sword. Satan, still behind Jesus scowled. He wasted no
time in whisking Jesus away to his next temptation. In
a flash of light, he took Jesus up in a vision.
A loud crack rang as the two of them appeared
(10:14):
on a high precipice overlooking the earth. Satan stretched out
his arm to show Jesus the nations of the world,
like a merchant, presenting his renowned wares from around the world,
treasuries of earthly kings filled with gold and silver, armies,
(10:35):
thrones and monuments that proclaimed worldly authority. Satan considered each
one to be a jewel in the crown of Creation,
precious bargaining tokens for the Prince of the world to
use against the son of Man.
Speaker 5 (10:52):
You see all these these skingham Sami. They have been
taken by me, and her mind will give all this power,
all this glory could be yours.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Satan exuded a confidence that far surpassed his abilities, but
he was a master of his craft of deception. Never
allowing himself to show his weaknesses, he leaned in closer
to Jesus.
Speaker 5 (11:31):
Look, Son of God, look at all that would be
your struw all you must do his worship.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
This was the second temptation, the lust for power, a
temptation Eve once succumbed to when Satan promised she wouldn't die,
but would instead become like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked
upon the nations. Satan made an enticing offer to rule
(12:07):
over his people once again. Jesus had willingly taken on humanity,
but still being fully guffed, he was the only one
truly deserving of all the nation's praise. The compassionate tear
formed in the corner of Jesus' eye. Before him were
(12:28):
countless lost sheep in desperate need of a shepherd. But
corruption was not the way to win the hearts of men.
Jesus closed his eyes and quoted the scripture once again.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
It is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God,
him and him alone.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
You yourself.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around jesus weary body.
All of a sudden, the two of them were standing
over the Temple of Jerusalem. They were at the highest point,
overlooking the people below. The wind howled as a frail
Jesus stood at the very tip of the massive structure.
(13:13):
Despite his frailness, Jesus's body refused to bend like a
read in the wind. But Satan considered himself to be craftier,
Knowing how Jesus had responded to the first two temptations,
he prepared to lean into Jesus' love of the scriptures.
Satan screamed through the gale, pointing to the people below, behld.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
They want to sign Jesus. They longed to worship. They're
hungry for it. They're waiting for you, son of God.
They're all here waiting for you to show yourself, make
a spectacle and jump off. But you I love.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Now what the strangest say?
Speaker 5 (14:08):
They claimed that the Lord will alreadys Angelus.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
This was the third temptation, the Pride of Life, the
moment sin entered God's perfect creation and fractured mankind's relationship
with him. Jesus looked down at the people coming in
and out of the temple. If they were to see
a man flying on the wings of angels over the
(14:34):
Holy Temple, surely they would worship him. Yet it would
be no greater than a circus act. Jesus knew that
it was not signs and wonders that would save mankind.
He knew what his true purpose was. He had not
come to be served by the people. He came to
(14:55):
serve them.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
You must not test the Lord your God.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Jesus's silent reply was just as much for himself as
it was for his adversary. Though the forty days had
brought Jesus to the limits of what humanity could physically endure,
it had also brought him to the pinnacle of dependence
upon the Lord. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt
(15:21):
him again, But before he could speak, Jesus turned round
with surprising speed, looking Satan in the eyes for the
first time. Doth Jesus rebuke, boomed like thunder, and struck
Satan to his core, causing him to jar back. The
winds whipped round the two in a tornado of light.
(15:45):
Seconds later they ceased. The two of them were standing
in the wilderness once again. Deafening silence surrounded them, broken
only by the occasional soft chirp of the crickets. The
stars were settling high in the sky, and the howling
evening wind rolled over the hills.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
How far you have fallen? Try if you must, But
you and I both know.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
How this will end. Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus.
They were not equals. They never would be. Jesus alone
held true authorship and power of all things, that all
of this only caused the tempter to dig in his heels.
Long ago he had made his choice to turn against God,
(16:37):
and this only path forward was driving deeper into his
evil ways. Satan retreated back into the grass, slithering on
his cursed belly, would spend his days plotting all the
ways he could take the hearts of men away from
the grace and love of God, even if it cost
(16:58):
him everything. For Jesus, his test was over. He had
walked through the valley of darkness and came out in
glorious light. Now that Satan was gone, Jesus exhaled slowly
and enjoyed the solitude. But he still wasn't truly alone.
(17:20):
The Father had never left his side through his plight,
and the Spirit had empowered him every step of the way.
Jesus felt profound comfort in knowing that stepping into creation
didn't mean losing his connection with the Father and Spirit.
In all ways, they would remain one, perfect and wholly.
(17:47):
He departed to eat, recover, and pray. He had successfully
resisted the temptations of the enemy, the same temptations that
had caused Adam and Eve to fall, the same schemes
of the enemy that pushed humanity to stumble for thousands
of generations. Jesus, even in his most weakened state, was
(18:12):
able to overcome it. This would be a foreshadowing of
things to come. Jesus, even at his most afflicted, would
overcome the world.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Jesus, filled with the holy experience, is led into the wilderness,
a barren place where wi fi is nonexistent and uber
eats doesn't deliver. He's there for forty days, fasting and
being tempted by the devil. Now, some might say, why
would the spirit lead him into such a harsh place. Well,
(18:47):
sometimes the most profound lessons are learned in the most
desolate locations. Isn't it interesting how wilderness experiences often follow
mountaintop moments right after his baptism, where heaven literally opens up.
Jesus is navigating rocky terrain and even rockier temptations. It
(19:08):
reminds us that spiritual highs don't exempt us from earthly challenges.
After forty days without food, Jesus is understandably hungry. The
devil shows up and suggests, if you are the son
of God, command this stone to become bred. Now, turning
stones into bread could kickstart the greatest bakery in history.
(19:30):
But Jesus isn't biting the pun intended. He replies, it
is written man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word of God. Jesus prioritizes spiritual nourishment over
physical hunger. It's a lesson for us snackers who think
a midnight frigerate will solve all our problems. Sometimes what
(19:52):
we truly crave isn't found in the pantry, but in
God's word. Next, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms
of the world in a moment and offers them an
exchange for worship. Talk about a fast, tracted power, no elections,
no campaigns, just instant rulership. But Jesus answers, you shall
(20:12):
worship the Lord, your God, and him only you shall serve.
He rejects the allure of power without purpose, glory without God.
It's a reminder that shortcuts often lead us off cliffs
achieving goals. God's way may take longer, but it spares
us from the pitfalls of compromise. Finally, the devil takes
(20:34):
Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and says, throw
yourself down from here, citing scripture that angels will save him.
It's like the devil is saying, let's see if God
really has your back. Jesus responds. Jesus responds, you shall
not tempt the Lord your God. He refuses to manipulate
God's promises for personal spectacle. Faith isn't a tool to
(20:58):
coerce God into acting on our Faith isn't a tool
to coerce God into acting on our whims. It's trust
in his character and timing. It's like refusing to drive
recklessly just because your car has airbags. What can we
learn from Jesus's desert duel with darkness? First, we're reminded
(21:18):
to know the source of our strength. Jesus was filled
with the Holy Spirit and armed with the words of God.
In our battles, are we relying on willpower alone? Or
are we tapping into God's power? Second, we must recognize
the real temptations that would ensnare our souls. The devil
didn't just tempt Jesus to break as fast. He tempted
(21:40):
him to doubt his identity and mission. Similarly, our temptations
often target our purpose and calling. Third, we're reminded not
the twist scripture, but notice how the devil quotes scripture
out of context. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers
of cherry picking verses to justify our des desires. Lastly,
(22:02):
resist and persist. Jesus's temptations didn't end in the wilderness.
Luke notes that the devil departed until an opportune time.
Temptation is persistent, but so can be our resistance. Our
own wilderness experiences are inevitable, but they don't have to
be fruitless. With the Holy Spirit's guiding and the truth
(22:25):
of scripture, we can navigate temptations not just to survive,
but to emerge stronger. So the next time you find
yourself in a metaphorical desert, hungry, tired, or tempted to
take the easy way out, remember that even in the
most barren places, God provides the sustenance we truly need,
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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