Matthew 4:4
"It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
He was tempted. Satan knows that He is the son of God, and yet, he still had the guts to tempt Him. OR, a better way to put it – Satan knows He is the Son of God, THAT IS WHY, he gathered all his guts to tempt Him.
The temptation of Jesus focused on Satan's determined effort to keep Jesus from the cross. He didn't want Him to die so that we may live. He desperately sought to keep Him from the cross, for he knew Christ's death will destroy evil, death, and Satan himself. The proof of his desperation was his willingness to compromise with Jesus by letting Him rule over an earthly, materialistic kingdom - a perpetual reign over a world lost in sin.
The temptation of Jesus ceased, but only "until an opportune time". Obviously, Satan returned throughout Christ's ministry: through demon-possessed people, the hardened hearts of the scribes and the Pharisees; His own family who cannot understand His mission in life, His own disciples; and finally in the colossal struggle in Gethsemane, where for the nth time, He accepted His fate by following the will of God – “I shall drink the cup which the Father has given Me”.
No matter how badly mauled Satan is, or however strongly he's opposed, he won't admit defeat and insists he can yet find a way to defeat us. And this, we should not allow. Resist temptation and live life fully with the Lord.
Almighty Father, we do not forget that the devil exists and he is a tempter, very intelligent and astute. Teach us to be vigilant in the eyes and the heart. To be strong in spirit and virtue, tireless praying and adoring You. Teach us to listen to Your words, remembering Christ's victory over temptation and our sharing in that victory. Teach us to be humble and love You and others more until the end of time.
“I may be tempted, but I will not give in
I will resist temptation, denouncing evil and sin.”
“'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.”
- William Shakespeare
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