Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world

Christian Meditations – A Chris Hansen Column

January 9, 2008

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From the Sunday School Series

Chris Hansen

 chrishansen54@sbcglobal.net

Luke Sunday school class October 14, 2007 Christ duels with Satan by Chris Hansen author of “Secret of the Psalms,” and other books www.xlibris.com or 1-888-795-4274 or local bookstores or Tapes and Publications First Baptist church Modesto www.fbcmodesto.com

 What was it like for Jesus Christ to be tempted by Satan? 

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit out into a foreboding wilderness.  I encourage you to watch the Ray Vanderlan series “That The World May Know,” available through First Baptist to borrow or from Focus on the Family to purchase, 1-800-232-6459 or www.family.org

You will see just how foreboding this wilderness near the Jordan really is.  Occasionally, the wilderness of Judea is broken by fresh water where green sprouts up.  Otherwise, absolutely nothing grows for miles and miles.

 Jesus was buffeted by heat and wind during the day, and the chill of the desert nights.  After forty days of severe fasting, Jesus was at his weakest.  At this low point, Satan moves in to strike Him.  Satan knew that if Jesus sinned even once, He could never die for the sins of the world.  Then, all of humankind would be forever lost!  Under this enormous pressure, Satan comes with his mockery.  “If you are the Son of God, Tell this stone to become bread.”  (Luke 4:3.) 

Now, at this point, we need to use a little imagination to feel the true force of this mocking temptation.  Imagine that you are sitting quietly next to Jesus.  You watch Jesus thoughtfully pick up a stone from the ground.  This stone is a common small stone just about the right size and shape reminding the holder of a typical loaf of bread which was a common source of nourishment of that day. 

Now imagine Satan mocking Jesus: “So, you claim to be the Son of God!  This common stone already looks like a loaf of bread.  It’s the right size.  It’s the right shape.  I’m not asking that you create a banquet.  All I’m asking is that you produce a simple loaf of bread!  Or is that too hard for you!” 

Now, that’s more like how I imagine this mocking temptation to have gone.  Without thinking Jesus simply responded with Scripture He already knew so well.  He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3.  “Man does not live by bread alone.” 

The next temptation was even stronger.  Suddenly Jesus found himself high above the world.  Was this in His mind or was it a real transport?  We really don’t know.  In an instant, Jesus beheld all the splendor and all of the wealth His world could offer.  Satan then enticed Jesus: “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.  So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”  (Luke 4:6.) 

Some theologians have suggested that Satan was telling Jesus the truth.  They suggest that man was given dominion over this world, and that when Adam fell, that dominion was handed over to Satan.  In chapter 4 of my book, “Secret of the Psalms,” I evaluate this claim.  To me, Psalm 50:12 calls Satan a liar!  God speaks as follows: “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.”  Which part of “All that is in it,” did Satan not understand! 

This Psalm was written thousands of years after Adam supposedly lost the world and handed it over to Satan.  Since Satan later on quotes from Psalm 91, I can only conclude that Satan knew the Psalms, and must have known that the Psalms call him into question at this point.  Satan owns nothing!  He never has!  He never will!  Psalm 89:11 says this: “The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.  You created the north and the south;” 

So, in my judgment, Psalm 50 and Psalm 89 dash Satan’s claims to ownership of anything whatsoever!  Once again, Jesus, by reflex quoted the Scriptures he knew so well to deflect Satan’s attempted seduction:  Jesus recited from memory Deuteronomy 6:16.  “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” 

Satan has no power, no authority, and can’t be trusted.  Other than that!  Well, you get the idea.  Next, Jesus found himself standing at the highest point of the temple of Jerusalem.  Herod had spent years building this massive site.  Ray Vanderlaan shows in his DVD or his video just how massive this complex was.  It covers many acres and some of the stones are 18 feet high weighing many tons!  The glistening gold could be seen for miles!  Jesus could see the crowds of people hundreds of feet below him looking up at him expectantly.  Satan enticed Jesus: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.  For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,”” Luke 4:9-11.)  Satan had deftly quoted from Psalm 91:11-12. 

This seduction was the strongest one, I think.  Jesus could easily imagine himself hurtling from those dizzying heights and in his mind he could feel the angels pluck him from destruction.  He could imagine the gasp of the crowds below as they crowned Him king in their astonishment.  But if He were crowned, how could He ever go to the cross and save us all?  He couldn’t!  He would rule over a dying world full of splendor and empty of salvation.  Jesus could also imagine the displeasure of his Father.  Jesus would be putting God to the test.  Jesus knew that was wrong.  He could imagine himself hurtling down from those dizzying heights and feel himself dashed to pieces on the rocks below.  Jesus would be crushed and killed by his sins.  So, crowned, or crushed, Jesus could never go to the cross.  So, once again, Jesus quoted by reflex and by memory, Scripture He knew so very well.  He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16.  “Do not put the Lord your God to the test!”  God always performs miracles as a mighty king, and never performs them as a circus performer for our amusement!  Jesus knew that, and so do we by following His example. 

Finally, Satan left Him, but only for a little while.  I expect temptation to be strong.  I expect Scripture to give me the power to resist.  I expect temptation to weaken its hold on me for a time.  Then, I expect Satan to attack at a later time, so I must be ready.  I must be confident and cautious too.  Satan is on God’s leash, a short one, and if I stay out of range, Satan can’t get his fangs into my life.  But if I am careless, I can expect to get hurt.  These are the valuable lessons I can learn by following Jesus and His example.