Timing
Luke 4
Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days. Scripture says he didn't eat anything the whole time. This is meant to remind us of Israel's forty years in the wilderness, and the forty days Moses fasted on Mount Sinai before receiving the ten commandments (Ex. 34.28). This may seem like an extreme and impossible feat, but there are many accounts of people fasting for up to 8 weeks (56 days). A fast would naturally include drinking water, but no food would be consumed. That means Jesus very likely spent a full forty days without any food and would be incredibly hungry during it.
That's when the Devil shows up. The Devil first tells Jesus he should turn stones into bread like a magician, since he is God's Son. It should be easy for him to do that, shouldn't it? Next the Devil shows Jesus the whole earth and says it can all be his if he just worships the Devil. The Devil didn't actually have authority over the whole earth, so what he's really offering here is to make Jesus the military "Messiah" the Jewish people were expecting; one that could overthrow the evil Roman Empire.
But there is another, more potent test coming. After Jesus rebuffs the Devil a second time, the final test comes. The Devil showed Jesus the top of the temple and said, "jump." This part of the temple oversaw a deep valley, and a jump from there would mean certain death. The assumption is that the temple represents the spiritual and religious authority. If Jesus can jump down and survive, he will immediately gain a fanatic following that would do anything for him. This is power at its most potent, but Jesus again says no. He will not tempt God like that. He will not force God to act in a miraculous way to prove to Jesus that he is truly God's Son. Jesus accepts it as true, without the need for miracles.
Strangely, by not demanding of God miraculous proofs or military power, Jesus is filled with God's power to perform incredible miracles for the next three years. Perhaps this is a case of delayed gratification. If you demand it now of God you won't have it. But if you wait on God's timing you are sure to have a powerful ally throughout every ordeal.
Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days. Scripture says he didn't eat anything the whole time. This is meant to remind us of Israel's forty years in the wilderness, and the forty days Moses fasted on Mount Sinai before receiving the ten commandments (Ex. 34.28). This may seem like an extreme and impossible feat, but there are many accounts of people fasting for up to 8 weeks (56 days). A fast would naturally include drinking water, but no food would be consumed. That means Jesus very likely spent a full forty days without any food and would be incredibly hungry during it.
That's when the Devil shows up. The Devil first tells Jesus he should turn stones into bread like a magician, since he is God's Son. It should be easy for him to do that, shouldn't it? Next the Devil shows Jesus the whole earth and says it can all be his if he just worships the Devil. The Devil didn't actually have authority over the whole earth, so what he's really offering here is to make Jesus the military "Messiah" the Jewish people were expecting; one that could overthrow the evil Roman Empire.
Strangely, by not demanding of God miraculous proofs or military power, Jesus is filled with God's power to perform incredible miracles for the next three years. Perhaps this is a case of delayed gratification. If you demand it now of God you won't have it. But if you wait on God's timing you are sure to have a powerful ally throughout every ordeal.