The rest of the Story

Matthew 4:1-11

Paul Harvey made this statement famous: “Now here is the rest of the Story.”  We looked at verses 1-11, from the tempters best attempt at getting Jesus Christ, his Creator, to bow down and worship him, and we discovered this very intelligent being called the devil used the two- letter word “If” as his plan to accomplish this task.  But today we are going to look at the rest of the story; how the Son of God responded to the challenge of His authority?

Satan, that old serpent, the one referred to by Matthew as the tempter, or the devil, found Jesus in the wilderness, hungry, He had fasted for forty days and forty nights.  Often, I miss the important and go chasing after the lesser truth, but look at who set-up the meeting between Jesus and the devil in that wilderness; it was the Spirit of God.  Note: The Spirit of God is going to allow access to you in the wilderness, (loss of a child, a failed marriage, the loss of your job, a rebellious child) but you must remember God, who loves you so much, has sent His Son, His only Son to buy you out of the control of sin, has not left you, in fact, He is hoping you will do as His Son did.  Do you recall the story of Job, it was God who asked Satan where he had been, and he said, “going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:7b-8)  I believe it is necessary to say that you or I will not encounter the same temptations Jesus encountered, but we who are followers of Christ will be tempted. 

The first try at messing with the Creator was to ask Jesus to turn rock into bread “if” He was able to do so, and this was his reply:  “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

(Matthew 4:4)  The devil’s motto is, if you do not achieve your goal, try, try again, and that is what he did.  Next, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and told Jesus to jump, and this was Jesus’ response:  “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7 ESV)  Please remember, the devil does not give up, he is coming back to try one more lie on you, and that is what he did with Jesus.  The devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and made this offer, “fall down and worship me, and I will give you all of this.  Jesus not once argued that the devil did not have the ability to deliver on his promises, but instead Jesus said:  “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

(Matthew 4:10 ESV)

Do you enjoy the ending of the story, when the victor who is good wins over evil?  If so, read Matthew 4:11, and remember that the tempter is redundant, and if you are in Christ he has no authority over you, but will set traps to ensnare you.  The apostle Paul being led by the Spirit gave this advice: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice