The Wilderness (Part 3)

Luke 4:5-8

“5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 

The devil offered Jesus power and authority.  Notice that he claims to have authority over all the kingdoms of the world and that he can give it away to anyone he chooses.  

We know that this is not true, that only God has this authority, but people fall victim to this lust for power even today, selling their soul for its worldly, temporary benefits. In Mark 8:36, Jesus asked, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”  

On the top of a mountain, Satan stood with the Son of God, and waving his arm he asked the Lord to choose between the light or the dark, between the way of the world or the way of the cross.

He chose the light...and the cross.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)