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And [Satan] said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matt. 4:9-10)
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)
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God’s plan was for Jesus to become ruler over all creation. But the path to that glory would require that He first sacrifice Himself for the sins of humanity. There would be no crown without the cross.
At the very beginning of His ministry, however, when Jesus was tired and hungry, He encountered a shortcut. Satan offered to deliver all the kingdoms of the world into His hands. Even better, the price was right; all He had to do was fall down and worship him. All the gain without the pain.
Jesus refused the offer. First, could Satan really deliver on that promise? Jesus was familiar with Satan's track record as the father of bait-and-switch lies (Jn. 8:44). This had all the earmarks of another lie.
Of course, from Jesus' perspective, whatever Satan could or couldn't deliver was irrelevant. There was really nothing to consider here. Jesus was not about to renounce his allegiance to his Father. His heart was steadfast in its intention: "Him only you shall serve." Jesus resisted this temptation--and many others that followed--completing His mission and securing our salvation. Thank God.
The story of Jesus' encounter with Satan holds a more personal message for each one us. Like Jesus, the path before us is not easy. Like Him, we must face many hardships and sacrifices before we receive our own crown of life. "Be faithful until death" is not easy.
Just as he did with Jesus, Satan tempts us with shortcuts. Every day we encounter opportunities great and small to cut corners, fudge the truth, slack off, give ourselves a little break from the pressure. Of course, once we start taking these shortcuts, we soon end up worshiping the wrong Master. We've sold our soul to the devil for an easy out--and forfeited our claim to glory in the hereafter.
Friend, when the going gets tough and you see an opportunity to bypass the pain by cheating just a little, don't take the bait. Satan is offering you a crown without the cross. Fix your eyes on Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2).
Go and do likewise.
--David
