Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me.”
Matthew 4:8-9 NET
It is clear from other passages that Satan did not know just why Jesus had come to earth as a human. The way of the cross was not something he knew about (1 Cor. 2:8). Satan likely saw Jesus coming as the promised seed of David who would establish his throne at the head of a revitalized Jewish nation, ruling over the whole world. The same view that Jesus’ disciples had as they followed him.
So, Satan’s temptation here was to offer a shortcut, an easier way to accomplish his mission. He offered to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world. To fulfill the task he believed Jesus had come to accomplish.
But there was just one little catch. Jesus had to bow down to Satan and worship him. To leave the path of faithfulness to God. And Jesus rightly rejected the easy way that Satan offered. Telling him that God alone is to be worshipped and served.
Jesus is not the only one who is offered the easy way. The path of faithfulness is long and often hard. And we are frequently tempted to take the easier way. But there are no shortcuts. The easy way will never get us to where God wants us to be.
When you don’t see the expected results as quickly as you hoped for. When the way is hard with no end in sight. And when Satan offers you an easier way. Take Jesus’ words to heart, “You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him” (Matt. 4:10 NET).
Stay the course, faithfully serving the Lord, and leave the results to him. Don’t allow Satan to lure you into taking the easy way.
