After Jesus’ baptism, He was full of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit led Him into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. During that time Jesus fasted and naturally became hungry. It is no surprise that Satan’s first recorded temptation was for Jesus to turn the stones around Him into bread. Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 where Moses warned the Israelites that while God provided them manna (bread) to eat, it was not the bread that sustained them, but God who supplied the manna. They needed to live by faith in God’s word. When He said He would look after them they needed to trust Him to do it. Jesus knew that God wouldn’t leave Him to die in the desert.

Satan then took Jesus and in a moment showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. Satan offered to give Jesus all the authority over the kingdoms over which Satan has temporary control. The temptation was to usurp God’s authority and timing in setting Jesus as ruler over everything (Phil 2:5-11). Jesus could have it all then, without having to die, if he would just bow down and worship Satan. Jesus didn’t deny Satan’s temporary control over the world for a limited time. Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:13 where Moses warned the people of Israel that when they had victory in the promised land they not forget God and think they had achieved it in their own strength but serve Him only. Jesus was patient to receive the glory the Father would give Him in His perfect timing

The final recorded temptation has Satan quoting scripture. He took Jesus to the top of the temple and then quoted from Psalm 91, a psalm praising God for His protection. Satan’s idea was for Jesus to prove He was the Son of God through a miraculous stunt where everyone would see Him survive a dramatic dive and then accept Him as the Messiah. Satan pointed out verses 11-12 which spoke of God using His angels to protect Him and not even let His feet touch the ground. But he conveniently left out verses 14-16 where God promises His protection to those who love (and obey) Him. Jesus responded from Deuteronomy 6:16 that He would not put the Father to the test but completely obey and trust in His timing and methods. Jesus was willing to go to the cross rather than find some more convenient way to get the people to accept Him.

Then Satan left Him. That was not the end of His temptation, the devil was just waiting for a more opportune time to strike again.

When Satan tempts us he will use similar tactics. No, he won’t offer you all the kingdoms of the world, but he will try to get you to bypass God’s way of doing things. He will offer you a shortcut along with personal glory without disclosing the consequences of those choices. And our best defence is exactly what Jesus used. We need to know God’s word so clearly that all error is immediately recognisable. And we need to trust God that His way is always best in the long run. If Jesus had taken the shortcut, we would not have received salvation. Jesus didn’t sin so He could pay for our sin and give us the freedom to choose not to sin (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 6:6).