Journey Through the DesertSample

Worship

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9)

We are now at the last temptation Jesus faced during his 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Once again, the scenery changes, and now the tempter is making his final, desperate attempt to derail Jesus.

In the first temptation, we saw the tempter using hunger and casting doubt on Jesus’ identity. Secondly, he came again with an “if you are,” another jab at His identity, offering Jesus a shortcut, the option to perform a grand gesture. Thirdly, he presents ambition and power. He goes directly to the heart of the matter.

He wants worship. The HELPS Word-studies define the word worship as “proskynéō, prós, “towards” and kyneo, “to kiss” properly, to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior; to worship, ready “to fall down/prostrate oneself to adore on one’s knees.”

He wants Jesus to acknowledge him as King. He wants the homage and worship that is due to royalty. The same old selfish ambition that brought about his fall rears its ugly head again.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14)

Jesus came with a mission to save the world, to redeem mankind from sin and separation from God. The tempter once again offers a shortcut away from the cross, and it only requires worship, Jesus prostrating in front of the tempter from the Son of God. That’s what he wanted.

With one decision, Jesus could lay claim to all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and do so without enduring the cross. “The danger is greatest when the end is good” (Expositor’s Greek Testament).

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Reflection:

What do you notice is different in this third temptation?

What does this test reveal about our desires? Our ambitions?

How did Jesus respond? What was different?

What can we learn from Jesus’ response?