"Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give You," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me"- Matthew 4:8-9 (NIV).
At the beginning of His ministry, following baptism, Jesus fasted, no bread or water, for 40 days. At this time, the devil tempted Jesus with physical provisions and power...if He would only worship Satan. If Jesus had accepted the devil's offer, not only would He have immediate gratification, but He wouldn't have had to suffer and die, but He rebuked the devil. Jesus was also tempted at His Crucifixion. Those He suffered for mocked Him to come down off that cross and save Himself, if not, let God rescue Him now, if God wanted Him (27:40-43), but Jesus asked God to forgive those He was sacrificing Himself to save. The devil couldn't give Jesus what He already had, nor could sinners wrench themselves out of His grasp to their own deserved punishment. Jesus was born to die. What great love He has lavished on us, to be called His children (1 John 3:1).
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