subtle indeed, for of course there is obviously no sin in eating when one is hungry. But

the Lord's answer is clear. He realized that He had been subjected to the discipline of

this fast for the same purpose that Israel had been "suffered to hunger" in the wilderness,

namely that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of

the mouth of God" (Deut. 8: 3). The Father in His own time and way would supply the

physical needs of His Son. The duty of the Lord was to be obedient in His dependence

and not to decide for Himself either the moment or the manner in which His fast should

be ended. And so the Lord so aptly quoted a verse from Deuteronomy which had Israel's

physical test in view regarding food, which was so much like His own at this time.

The second temptation revolved around the fact that people are impressed by the

spectacular and even the Lord's enemies wanted Him to give them a "sign", something

out of the ordinary that might convince them. Consequently the devil suggests that the

Lord should throw Himself down from the roof of the Temple in the sight of the crowds.

Of course you will be supported and protected from harm by angels!  This would

certainly impress people. To try to prove his point Satan does not hesitate to quote

Scripture, and one must confess he often knows the Bible better than professing

Christians. He quotes from Psa. 91: 11 but significantly omits the words "to keep thee

in all thy ways". This alters the truth of the original--for God has never promised to

keep His children in all their ways, if these ways are contrary to His will. We are not

allowed to take unnecessary risks and count on the Lord's protection. What dangers are

an essential part of fulfilling the Lord's will, we may be sure we shall be kept safe in

going through them. We notice too that Satan took care not to quote the next verse,

namely verse 13, which gives the destruction of the adder, s well as the lion. This was

getting too near home for the devil who could not have forgotten Gen. 3: 14, 15! The

Lord Jesus confounds him by quoting again from Deut. 6: 16, "Thou shalt not tempt the

Lord thy God". Putting God to the test is not trusting Him. The Saviour is willing to

face death when the Father reveals that He should do so and not before this time.

Satan now tries a third temptation and this comes nearer his one constant aim, and that

is to attain God's place and receive the worship of creation. Christ is given a panoramic

view of the kingdoms of the world and their glory "in a moment of time" (Luke 4: 5).

The enemy declares that they are his, "for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever

I will I give it" (Luke 4: 6). Christ does not contradict him for he is the "usurper" who

temporarily is in command of the world system. He is the "prince of this world" and now

he suggests that it would be the easiest thing for Christ to gain control of all these

kingdoms by the simple act of bowing down and worshipping him! All the difficulty and

pain of the future can be avoided if He will only do this! It was a short cut to glory.

Had the Lord done this, He would have subscribed to the diabolical doctrine that the

end justifies the means, the observation of which has tripped up thousands. Evil can

never be overcome by evil and the reign of God can never be established by Satanic

means. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve", words

which need to be constantly proclaimed today. The carrying out of the devil's plan

would have meant the surrender of the Son of God to the world ruler of this darkness.