Jesus & Satan

00:00:00 Speaker 1: For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin Hebrews four fifteen. Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus, our compassionate high Priest, who understands our struggles and empathize us with our weaknesses. We acknowledge our deep need for your grace and mercy, for we are often tempted and fall short. Lord, transform our hearts to be more like Christ, who faced every temptation yet remain sinless. Grant us the strength to resist the temptations we encounter daily and fill us with your spirit to walk in holiness. Empower us to be a source of comfort and understanding to others, reflecting Christ's love and compassion in all we do. And in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here as we launch a new mini series about Jesus and Demons. Be sure to follow this podcast on whatever platform you listen to, and for more inspiring stories to last a lifetime, download Theprey Dot com app today. The warm glow of dusk blanketed the skies over Judea. Jesus stood looking over the land, the creation he had spoken into existence and declared as good. The sound of chirping crickets began to harmonize with the rustling grass. The tranquility of the sprawling landscape matched that of Jesus's soul, just time for Jesus to begin his fast, depriving his body of food for forty days. But this wasn't a burden for him. He would remove comfort and cling to God, replacing his physical meals with spiritual ones. His baptism of water and spirit had been an affirmation that Jesus had been sent from God to accomplish the will of the Father. Now the spirit drove him into the wilderness to prepare for the years of work ahead. Though he wouldn't be accompanied by his companions, Jesus was not alone. An ancient enemy, far too familiar to Jesus, lurked among the reeds behind him, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. This enemy knew he was no match for Jesus in all of his heavenly power, But perhaps he thought to himself he could over come the son of Man if he attacked him at his weakest, so he patiently waited to employ his venomous plans. In one fluid motion, Jesus lifted his bag over his shoulders and his eyes to the heavens. 00:03:17 Speaker 2: Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who gives sustenance to the heart, mind, and body. May this fast draw my heart close to yours. 00:03:31 Speaker 1: Jesus heart was eased when talking with his father. Every second spent a biding in his heavenly love was a warm embrace to every part of his being. The serpent hidden in the grass, however, scowled at his words. He had once idolized closeness with God, but his vain, glorious nature had done its part to turn all of his attention inward. He drew back and slithered through the dust, a momentary retreat before he would wait his war. 00:04:09 Speaker 3: People often make the mistake in thinking that Jesus and Satan are equal rivals in the battle of good versus evil. While this couldn't be further from the truth. While Satan may be an adversary, he isn't an equal. No one can rival Jesus Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. This is Ethan from pray dot Com here to welcome you to another miniseries inspired by the Gospels. We're taking a few weeks in October to explore stories of Jesus' struggle against the evil forces of darkness. We're taking a few weeks in October to explore stories of Jesus's confrontation with the evil forces of darkness. During this season when darkness and demons are celebrated, we want to shed some light on Jesus's relationship with demons, Satan, and the forces of darkness that would seek to keep us from God. Today, we're delving into a story that might make you rethink your next desert hike, or at least pack a better lunch. Let's explore a saga inspired by Luke chapter four, verses one through thirteen, where Jesus faces off against temptation in the wilderness. This isn't just a tale of survival. It's a masterclass in spiritual resilience. 00:05:27 Speaker 1: Day slowly turned into weeks. In the wilderness, for forty days, Jesus had gone without food, and for forty days, Satan whispered lies from the shadows he had hoped to chip away at jesus morale as his body began eating away at itself. Sure enough, Jesus mind was experiencing the dull effects of starvation. He refused to cut any corners. During his time on earth. He would feel the weakness of humanity in full force, identifying with mankind in every way, but he would do so without sin. His body trembled, longing for any form of sustenance. But the desperation to fill one's physical needs while fasting is God's reminder of our desperate need to fill our spiritual ones. The weary Messiah groaned a prayer to the Father, pushing his agony aside. Then was at this moment that a slithering presence emerged from the cover of darkness to interrupt jesus strained focus. He slid his way behind Jesus and whispered in his ear. 00:06:44 Speaker 4: Ah, look eats the Son of God, shaking like a starving anamal. 00:06:55 Speaker 1: His voice was quiet and sharp, like the silent sting of a scorpion. Yet it would take more than that to pierce the hardened shell of the Messiah. Satan could perceive jesus resoluteness and In an instant, his tactic changed. His voice became calmer, like a mother trying to calm her crying infant. 00:07:17 Speaker 5: If you truly are the son of God, why not just to command these stones to become brown. Surely decreable himself deserves some food. 00:07:33 Speaker 1: Satan's feign sympathy was not lost on Jesus. This was the first temptation known to humanity, the lust of the flesh. Just as Satan had come to Eve under the guise of caring for her, he now played the same part with Jesus. He had seen it work against Adam and Eve in the garden and hoped history would repeat itself. Jesus body ache from hunger. The pain was nearly unbearable. He grasped at his stomach and trembling fingers and considered for a moment what just a morsel of bread would do for his emaciated body. Images of his mother carrying warm bread and flooded his mind. He longed for the comfort of home, family, and food, but the picture of his mother only helped remind him of the power of steadfastness to God. Jesus came to identify with the weakness of mankind, so that he might free them from the shackles of sin and death. For him to ease his starvation would do nothing to ease the people of their longing for salvation. Jesus knew if he simply turned the stones into bread, he would take advantage of the power God gave him, power that was to be used for the sake of others, not himself. Besides, he did not need bread. His fasting was a constant reminder that the comfort of the Father was enough. Jesus, not looking behind him, replied with scripture. 00:09:20 Speaker 2: It is written, man does not live by bread alone, but by the very words uttered from God himself. 00:09:31 Speaker 1: It was difficult for Jesus to speak, for he now lacked the strength to take full breaths. He had a fever from hunger, and the chills caused him to shiver, But his mental fortitude kept his body and spirit in line with the Father's heart. Even in jesus frail state, the word of God swung down upon the enemy like a sword. Satan, still behind Jesus scowled. He wasted no time in whisking Jesus away to his next temptation. In a flash of light, he took Jesus up in a vision. A loud crack rang as the two of them appeared on a high precipice overlooking the earth. Satan stretched out his arm to show Jesus the nations of the world, like a merchant, presenting his renowned wares from around the world, treasuries of earthly kings filled with gold and silver, armies, thrones and monuments that proclaimed worldly authority. Satan considered each one to be a jewel in the crown of Creation, precious bargaining tokens for the Prince of the world to use against the son of Man. 00:10:52 Speaker 5: You see all these these skingham Sami. They have been taken by me, and her mind will give all this power, all this glory could be yours. 00:11:16 Speaker 1: Satan exuded a confidence that far surpassed his abilities, but he was a master of his craft of deception. Never allowing himself to show his weaknesses, he leaned in closer to Jesus. 00:11:31 Speaker 5: Look, Son of God, look at all that would be your struw all you must do his worship. 00:11:46 Speaker 1: This was the second temptation, the lust for power, a temptation Eve once succumbed to when Satan promised she wouldn't die, but would instead become like God. Jesus's weary eyes looked upon the nations. Satan made an enticing offer to rule over his people once again. Jesus had willingly taken on humanity, but still being fully guffed, he was the only one truly deserving of all the nation's praise. The compassionate tear formed in the corner of Jesus' eye. Before him were countless lost sheep in desperate need of a shepherd. But corruption was not the way to win the hearts of men. Jesus closed his eyes and quoted the scripture once again. 00:12:42 Speaker 2: It is written, you shall worship the Lord, your God, him and him alone. 00:12:50 Speaker 3: You yourself. 00:12:52 Speaker 1: Satan scoffed and wrapped his cloak around jesus weary body. All of a sudden, the two of them were standing over the Temple of Jerusalem. They were at the highest point, overlooking the people below. The wind howled as a frail Jesus stood at the very tip of the massive structure. Despite his frailness, Jesus's body refused to bend like a read in the wind. But Satan considered himself to be craftier, Knowing how Jesus had responded to the first two temptations, he prepared to lean into Jesus' love of the scriptures. Satan screamed through the gale, pointing to the people below, behld. 00:13:39 Speaker 5: They want to sign Jesus. They longed to worship. They're hungry for it. They're waiting for you, son of God. They're all here waiting for you to show yourself, make a spectacle and jump off. But you I love. 00:14:04 Speaker 4: Now what the strangest say? 00:14:08 Speaker 5: They claimed that the Lord will alreadys Angelus. 00:14:14 Speaker 1: This was the third temptation, the Pride of Life, the moment sin entered God's perfect creation and fractured mankind's relationship with him. Jesus looked down at the people coming in and out of the temple. If they were to see a man flying on the wings of angels over the Holy Temple, surely they would worship him. Yet it would be no greater than a circus act. Jesus knew that it was not signs and wonders that would save mankind. He knew what his true purpose was. He had not come to be served by the people. He came to serve them. 00:14:56 Speaker 2: You must not test the Lord your God. 00:15:00 Speaker 1: Jesus's silent reply was just as much for himself as it was for his adversary. Though the forty days had brought Jesus to the limits of what humanity could physically endure, it had also brought him to the pinnacle of dependence upon the Lord. Satan sneered at Jesus, ready to tempt him again, But before he could speak, Jesus turned round with surprising speed, looking Satan in the eyes for the first time. Doth Jesus rebuke, boomed like thunder, and struck Satan to his core, causing him to jar back. The winds whipped round the two in a tornado of light. Seconds later they ceased. The two of them were standing in the wilderness once again. Deafening silence surrounded them, broken only by the occasional soft chirp of the crickets. The stars were settling high in the sky, and the howling evening wind rolled over the hills. 00:16:08 Speaker 2: How far you have fallen? Try if you must, But you and I both know. 00:16:14 Speaker 1: How this will end. Satan shrunk at the voice of Jesus. They were not equals. They never would be. Jesus alone held true authorship and power of all things, that all of this only caused the tempter to dig in his heels. Long ago he had made his choice to turn against God, and this only path forward was driving deeper into his evil ways. Satan retreated back into the grass, slithering on his cursed belly, would spend his days plotting all the ways he could take the hearts of men away from the grace and love of God, even if it cost him everything. For Jesus, his test was over. He had walked through the valley of darkness and came out in glorious light. Now that Satan was gone, Jesus exhaled slowly and enjoyed the solitude. But he still wasn't truly alone. The Father had never left his side through his plight, and the Spirit had empowered him every step of the way. Jesus felt profound comfort in knowing that stepping into creation didn't mean losing his connection with the Father and Spirit. In all ways, they would remain one, perfect and wholly. He departed to eat, recover, and pray. He had successfully resisted the temptations of the enemy, the same temptations that had caused Adam and Eve to fall, the same schemes of the enemy that pushed humanity to stumble for thousands of generations. Jesus, even in his most weakened state, was able to overcome it. This would be a foreshadowing of things to come. Jesus, even at his most afflicted, would overcome the world. 00:18:27 Speaker 3: Jesus, filled with the holy experience, is led into the wilderness, a barren place where wi fi is nonexistent and uber eats doesn't deliver. He's there for forty days, fasting and being tempted by the devil. Now, some might say, why would the spirit lead him into such a harsh place. Well, sometimes the most profound lessons are learned in the most desolate locations. Isn't it interesting how wilderness experiences often follow mountaintop moments right after his baptism, where heaven literally opens up. Jesus is navigating rocky terrain and even rockier temptations. It reminds us that spiritual highs don't exempt us from earthly challenges. After forty days without food, Jesus is understandably hungry. The devil shows up and suggests, if you are the son of God, command this stone to become bred. Now, turning stones into bread could kickstart the greatest bakery in history. But Jesus isn't biting the pun intended. He replies, it is written man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Jesus prioritizes spiritual nourishment over physical hunger. It's a lesson for us snackers who think a midnight frigerate will solve all our problems. Sometimes what we truly crave isn't found in the pantry, but in God's word. Next, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a moment and offers them an exchange for worship. Talk about a fast, tracted power, no elections, no campaigns, just instant rulership. But Jesus answers, you shall worship the Lord, your God, and him only you shall serve. He rejects the allure of power without purpose, glory without God. It's a reminder that shortcuts often lead us off cliffs achieving goals. God's way may take longer, but it spares us from the pitfalls of compromise. Finally, the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and says, throw yourself down from here, citing scripture that angels will save him. It's like the devil is saying, let's see if God really has your back. Jesus responds. Jesus responds, you shall not tempt the Lord your God. He refuses to manipulate God's promises for personal spectacle. Faith isn't a tool to coerce God into acting on our Faith isn't a tool to coerce God into acting on our whims. It's trust in his character and timing. It's like refusing to drive recklessly just because your car has airbags. What can we learn from Jesus's desert duel with darkness? First, we're reminded to know the source of our strength. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and armed with the words of God. In our battles, are we relying on willpower alone? Or are we tapping into God's power? Second, we must recognize the real temptations that would ensnare our souls. The devil didn't just tempt Jesus to break as fast. He tempted him to doubt his identity and mission. Similarly, our temptations often target our purpose and calling. Third, we're reminded not the twist scripture, but notice how the devil quotes scripture out of context. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of cherry picking verses to justify our des desires. Lastly, resist and persist. Jesus's temptations didn't end in the wilderness. Luke notes that the devil departed until an opportune time. Temptation is persistent, but so can be our resistance. Our own wilderness experiences are inevitable, but they don't have to be fruitless. With the Holy Spirit's guiding and the truth of scripture, we can navigate temptations not just to survive, but to emerge stronger. So the next time you find yourself in a metaphorical desert, hungry, tired, or tempted to take the easy way out, remember that even in the most barren places, God provides the sustenance we truly need,