Deut. 26:4-10; Rom. 10:8-13; Lk. 4:1-13
The Temptation turning stones into bread was a Subtle Trap. The devil, knowing that Jesus had been fasting for forty days and was hungry, came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” At first glance, this might seem like a harmless suggestion. After all, Jesus was hungry.
But Jesus responded with wisdom and authority, saying, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4)
This response of Jesus echoes the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 8:3, where God reminds the Israelites that He fed them with manna in the desert so that they would understand that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus knew that life is not just about physical sustenance. Our true fulfillment comes from God’s Word and His will.
The devil’s temptation was not merely about bread. It was an invitation for Jesus to prioritize physical needs over spiritual trust. It was a challenge to use divine power for self-serving purposes rather than trusting in God’s provision. We face the same challenge today.
In today’s world, we see a similar temptation. The world constantly tells us that we need more—more money, more success, more possessions, more comfort. Advertisements bombard us with messages that happiness is found in material things. Just like the devil suggested that Jesus should use His power to satisfy His hunger, the world tells us to use our abilities, our resources, and even our faith to pursue self-gratification.
A real-life example that fits this theme well is Howard Hughes, the American business magnate, investor, and film director. Hughes was one of the wealthiest men in the world, known for his immense fortune, aviation innovations, and Hollywood lifestyle. However, despite his success, he lived a deeply lonely and tormented life.
Hughes became obsessed with wealth and control, neglecting relationships and his well-being. In his later years, he suffered from extreme paranoia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and severe reclusiveness. He isolated himself in hotel rooms, refusing to see anyone, and let his health deteriorate drastically. Despite having unlimited financial resources, he lacked true joy, peace, or meaningful human connections. When he died in 1976, he was almost unrecognizable—thin, unkempt, and mentally troubled. His wealth could not save him from the emptiness of a life consumed by materialism.
This serves as a powerful modern parallel to Jesus' response to the devil's temptation. Hughes, like many today, believed that money and success could bring fulfillment, but in the end, his life proved otherwise. True satisfaction comes not from wealth alone, but from a life rooted in God, purpose, and love.
Jesus’ response to the devil reminds us that true life is not found in bread alone—in material wealth or temporary satisfaction—but in God’s presence and His Word.
The Second Temptation of Jesus deals with the Illusion of Earthly Power. In Luke 4:5-8 and Matthew 4:8-10, we encounter the second temptation of Jesus. The devil leads Him up and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world, offering them in exchange for worship. This moment is striking because it highlights the deceptive nature of power and the fundamental conflict between worldly authority and divine obedience. Jesus, unwavering in His mission, rebukes Satan with the words: "Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him."
This temptation echoes throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 6:13, Moses instructs the Israelites: "Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only." This is precisely the verse Jesus quotes to counter Satan's offer. Unlike Adam and Eve, who succumbed to the serpent’s deception in Genesis 3 by desiring godlike power, Jesus resists, showing His complete submission to God’s will.
Similarly, in Daniel 3, we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, choosing the fiery furnace over disloyalty to God. Their unwavering faith mirrors Jesus’ response—earthly power is nothing compared to divine fidelity.
The devil’s claim to worldly power is also notable. Scripture affirms that while Satan has influence (2 Corinthians 4:4 calls him "the god of this age"), ultimate authority belongs to God alone (Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it"). Jesus rejects Satan’s offer because He understands that true kingship comes through obedience to the Father, not through shortcuts or compromise.
There is an old story of a wise king who ruled with justice and peace. One day, an evil counselor offered him a magical scepter that would give him absolute power over all people. The king asked, "Will it make me wiser?" The counselor hesitated. "Will it make me more loving?" Again, no answer. "Will it bring my people closer to God?" The counselor admitted it would not. The king smiled and walked away, saying, "Then I do not need it." Like Jesus, this king knew that true leadership is not about domination but about faithfulness and service.
A powerful example is that of Sherron Watkins. In the early 2000s, Enron, a giant American energy company, was at the height of its success. Executives were engaging in massive accounting fraud, manipulating financial statements to make the company appear more profitable than it actually was.
Sherron Watkins, an Enron vice president, discovered the fraudulent practices and faced a moral dilemma. She could either stay silent, keep her high-paying job, and enjoy the company’s financial success, or speak up, risking her career, reputation, and personal safety. She courageously chose truth over wealth, exposing the fraud in an internal memo. Her integrity stood as a testimony that ethics matter more than temporary riches.
Today many of us are in the Pursuit of Power and Wealth. Today many of us are tempted to compromise faith for financial gain or career advancement. In politics, business, and even personal relationships, people are often faced with choices that test their integrity. Jesus’ response teaches us that no amount of wealth or influence is worth betraying our devotion to God.
Jesus' response—"Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him"—is a powerful reminder that nothing should take the place of God in our lives. Worship is not just about singing hymns or attending church; it is about our daily choices and priorities.
Jesus rejected Satan’s offer because He knew that His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). The glory and authority the devil promised were mere illusions; true glory comes from God. As followers of Christ, we are called to seek His Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), trusting that all else will be added to us in His perfect time. The world will always present tempting offers—power, fame, wealth—but they come at the cost of our life.
The Third Temptation of Jesus gives us a Lesson in Faith and Trust. The third temptation of Jesus, as recorded in Luke 4:9-12 and Matthew 4:5-7, takes place at the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. The devil, quoting Scripture, tempts Jesus to prove His divine sonship by throwing Himself down, suggesting that God's angels will rescue Him. Jesus responds with a powerful declaration: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." This exchange is not just a battle of words but a profound lesson in faith, trust, and the misuse of Scripture.
Jesus' response comes from Deuteronomy 6:16: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah." Massah refers to Exodus 17:1-7, where the Israelites, wandering in the wilderness, demanded water from God and questioned His presence. They did not trust that God would provide, and in their doubt, they tested Him.
The Israelites had seen miracles—the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven—yet they still doubted. Their demand for a sign was not a request made in faith but in rebellion. Jesus, standing on the temple's pinnacle, refuses to repeat their mistake.
Unlike Adam and Eve, who doubted God's command and fell into temptation (Genesis 3), Jesus remained steadfast. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit to gain something outside of God's plan. Jesus, however, refuses to test God for His own gain. His obedience undoes the failure of humanity's first fall.
Jesus demonstrates perfect trust in the Father throughout His ministry. The greatest proof comes in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prays, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). He does not ask for miraculous deliverance but submits fully to God's plan. This is the heart of faith—not testing God but trusting Him, even when we do not understand.
There is a sad story of a Christian missionary named John Allen Chau. In 2018, Chau attempted to evangelize the isolated Sentinelese tribe in the Andaman Islands, despite strict government laws prohibiting contact to protect both the tribe and outsiders. He believed that God would protect him, even though the tribe had a history of reacting violently to outsiders. Ignoring all warnings, he went to the island multiple times, leaving gifts and speaking to the people, but they shot arrows at him. Undeterred, he returned again, writing in his journal that he was willing to die for Christ. Sadly, the Sentinelese killed him shortly after.
Chau’s actions, though well-intended, reflect the danger of misinterpreting faith as testing God. Like the devil tempting Jesus to throw Himself from the temple, assuming that angels would save Him, Chau risked his life not out of obedience to God’s clear command, but from a presumption that God would intervene. Jesus, in contrast, refused to test God, teaching us that faith is about trusting in God's plan, not forcing His hand.
The temptations of Jesus reflect common struggles—seeking material comfort, pursuing power, and demanding signs. Through His resistance, Jesus teaches us to trust in God, prioritize spiritual life over material gain, and remain faithful despite worldly temptations. This Lent, we are called to follow His example, seeking true fulfillment in God alone.
Satish