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First Advent of Christ
155
not feel that they have a right to call upon the Lord to display His
power that they may obtain a victory over their enemies, unless
God can be directly honored and glorified thereby. If Jesus had cast
Himself from the pinnacle of the temple, it would not have glorified
His Father, for none would have witnessed the act but Satan and the
angels of God. And it would have been tempting the Lord to display
His power to His bitterest foe. It would have been condescending to
the one whom Jesus came to conquer.
“And the devil, taking Him up into a high mountain, shewed unto
Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the
devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the glory
of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I
give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine. And
Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind Me, Satan: for
it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord Thy God, and Him only
shalt thou serve.”
Luke 4:5-8
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Satan presented before Jesus the kingdoms of the world in the
most attractive light. If Jesus would there worship him, he offered
to relinquish his claims to the possessions of earth. If the plan of
salvation should be carried out and Jesus should die to redeem man,
Satan knew that his own power must be limited and finally taken
away, and that he would be destroyed. Therefore it was his studied
plan to prevent, if possible, the completion of the great work which
had been commenced by the Son of God. If the plan of man’s
redemption should fail, Satan would retain the kingdom which he
then claimed. And if he should succeed, he flattered himself that he
would reign in opposition to the God of heaven.
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The Tempter Rebuked
Satan exulted when Jesus laid aside His power and glory, and
left heaven. He thought that the Son of God was then placed in his
power. The temptation took so easily with the holy pair in Eden that
he hoped by his satanic power and cunning to overthrow even the
Son of God, and thereby save his own life and kingdom. If he could
tempt Jesus to depart from the will of His Father, his object would
be gained. But Jesus met the tempter with the rebuke, “Get thee
behind Me, Satan.” He was to bow only to His Father.