Tricksy

Matt 4:1-11

In the previous post, I commented that Jesus didn’t show up on Satan’s ‘radar’ between the point where Herod’s attack was thwarted until He is baptised and the Spirit of God alights on Him.

And at that point, Satan still doesn’t know just what the plan is (he wouldn’t know that until after Jesus was killed).

But: he tries to find out.

We read the ‘temptations’ as if they are just that – Satan trying to tempt Jesus to do the wrong thing. I doubt it; even Satan isn’t that optimistic. He knew who Jesus was, so wasn’t particularly expecting Him to fall into the very obvious elephant traps he had set; but he was hoping to get Jesus to give the game away.

Instead, Jesus does what we should learn to do: answered with truth to silence Satan; without disclosing the whole truth. Everything to do with God’s assignment in your life should be on a “need to know” basis. That is what Jesus modelled.

So let’s look at the three traps, the three truths – and the three bits Jesus didn’t feel any obligation to share!

First ‘temptation’: “If you are the Son of God, speak in order that these stones become breads.” (v3)

What Satan is hoping to hear: “You know very well who I am, and you are going to see me do much greater things than simply turn stones into bread; I will… [insert list of things Jesus is planning to do, which Satan can then work to counteract and smother].”

What Jesus does say: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but upon every spoken thing proceeding from the mouth of God.'” In other words, “bread is less important than what God says, so you are silenced.”

What Jesus doesn’t say but will demonstrate: “In my Father’s Kingdom there is answer for bread and every other thing that His Children need, and I will teach my disciples how to access all this” – to the point where in Matthew 16 He will rebuke His disciples for being so slow to realise that bread is no longer a problem for them.

Second ‘temptation’: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (from the pinnacle of the Temple, where everyone can see you), for it is written [in Psalm 91 that the angels will protect you].”

What Satan is hoping to hear: “Seriously, you are still pretending you don’t know me? Wait until you see … [insert another list, this time of dangers that Jesus will overcome, to the astonishment of the crowds, and yes, Satan will make sure the crowds are somewhere else.]”

What Jesus does say: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” In other words, “you want to quote Scripture out of context? Sure, I can do that too, and trump yours, so you are silenced on that one too.” (If you don’t understand, you might want to check out the context of Psalm 91 on the one hand – it is about a man being protected in and around his tent – and Deuteronomy 6:16 and of Exodus 17:1-7 on the other; the latter is actually about people doubting God’s goodness in a very tight place, not leaping into danger from a place of safety.)

What Jesus doesn’t say, but will demonstrate: “I will of course be teaching my disciples the authority they have in the Kingdom to shut down all your nonsense and turn back every attack you launch – not to mention how to set people free from illness, infirmity and insanity and every bondage in which you have enmeshed them.”

Third ‘temptation’: Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour (i.e. their wealth) and says “all this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” (Luke adds, correctly, Satan saying that the kingdoms and their splendour have been given to him, Satan. Jesus does not contradict him).

What Satan is hoping to hear: “See, you do know who I am and what I have come to reclaim, and you can’t stop me…” to which Satan will silently reply, “you might be surprised how hard I can make that for you, thanks for the heads up…”

What Jesus does say: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'” In other words, “I have given you the answers you are legally owed, as the ruler of this world; but my worship and my service are not yours and never will be. So go.”

What Jesus doesn’t say, but will demonstrate on the Cross: “I have a plan to reclaim all the Kingdoms, their splendour and their people; one which would never occur to you. Actually it will depend on your unwitting help for its execution, so I will not be sharing any details with you.”

Or as Paul said: “None of the rulers of this age understood the plan of God, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.”

So Jesus is put to the test by Satan (who has the legal right to do so); answers each of his questions with unquestionable truth; but does so without leaving Satan one iota the wiser, or with anything to work with.

Am I saying that Satan has the right to question us, and should we therefore engage with his questioning?

No; and no, in that order.

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are no longer subject to him. You don’t owe him an answer, and it would be a serious lack of wisdom to try. He can only succeed by getting his thoughts into your head, so don’t give him a hearing. Shut him down with the shield of faith: “That’s a lie, God says [insert God’s word to and over you]! Be silent”

So to recap, Jesus blocks Satan from learning anything; but for us, yes, in His Father’s Kingdom there is:

• everything we need;
• protection through the exercise of the authority we have; and
• a plan to recover the kingdoms of this world and all that pertains to them.

The kingdom of the world has become
the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Anointed,
and he will reign for ever and ever.

(Revelation 11:15)