The Temptations of Jesus
After Jesus was baptized, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
and for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Jesus fasted during
those forty days.
Satan saw this as an opportunity to tempt him again. He said to Jesus,
"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
Jesus answered, quoting from the book of Deuteronomy; "It is written, '
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from
the mouth of God'".
Next the devil took Jesus up on a high mountain and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world in just a moment. Then he told him that he had
been given the authority to give those kingdoms to anyone he wished.
Had he really been given that authority? He wanted Jesus to worship him.
Remember, the devil is a liar. God rules in the kingdoms of men and it
is He who gives power to the people He wants to have that power.
Jesus replied, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall
worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve'." Again Jesus
is quoting from the writings of Moses in Deuteronomy.
Satan tries a third time. He brought Jesus to Jerusalem and took him up
to the highest part of the temple and told him to jump off. He said
that angels would come and lift him up so that he wouldn't be hurt.
Jesus answered him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord
your God'."
Satan gave up and left him, but he would return later when he thought
he had an opportunity to get Jesus to sin.
After Satan left, angels came and helped Jesus.