Lesson 2282

(Lesson 2282)(03-11-18) Matthew 4:1-11
    “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

   Today’s quote relates how Jesus was handed over to the Satan to be tempted by all the evil riches the world has to offer.
    The quote also demonstrates how Satan has power and free reign, granted by God, over all the world. That is evidenced by Satan’s having had the power to give Jesus any worldly thing He wanted if Jesus would only bow to him.
    There are many scripturally uneducated who, thinking God is in control of all things for good, will ask; “How can a just God allow a child to be killed in some horrible way?” The answer to that question is easy, God is not controlling what goes on in this earth unless one of His own asks for divine input, in which case, God will provide whatever is asked. Satan is in control of the everyday goings and comings of this earth. The death of any child is the work of the devil in some form. However, if one gives him/herself over to the will of God through faith in Jesus Christ, then prays for anything that one might want, God will intercede and override.
    Jesus, when He returns, will take away Satan’s power over the earth. That will be made evident in future lessons.
    Probably the most important thing that should be taken from today’s quote is that Jesus DID NOT give in to the temptation of Satan, but rather stayed true to the righteousness of God in Himself. Through that righteous perfection we, by faith in Jesus Christ, are granted the righteousness that is required to hold dominion over Satan and to enter into a heavenly eternity with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. ~