The Dangers of Cutting Short the Process: 3 things you must know about the 3rd Temptation of Jesus

Yay!

Hello People,

Today, I upload the final part of a 3-part series on the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness.

So I remember when I was pregnant for my 2nd daughter, at some point, I could not wait for 9 months to be over. I started counting down but I also knew that it was best for that baby that she remained inside me until at least 37 completed weeks so I consoled myself with this fact. But, boy! at some point, I wished I could fast-forward the days and nights to hasten the process.

Life is full of processes, for example, university degrees are not awarded after two days of attending school, they require that you spend a certain amount of time learning and being tested. Between the declaration of a thing and its manifestation lies a process. Seeking phony ways to cut short a process and arrive at your destination will most likely land you in trouble.

The third (according to Matthew's account) temptation of Jesus reveals a clever plot to cause Jesus to abort a process and I shuddered just thinking of what the consequences would have been if He had given in.

Friends, I trust that this will definitely bless you, do let us know if it does.

Happy reading!

 Cutting Short the Process

As we know, Jesus had just concluded a fast and according to Matthew’s record of the three temptations in the wilderness, the 3rd temptation took place at the top of an exceedingly high mountain (think Mount Everest). “Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and saith unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” (Matt. 4:1-8-10)

 

Before I discuss the temptation, let me say a few things about process, sometimes, it is required that we pass through a process. James 1:2-4 admonishes us to let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing and Paul in his mail to the Phillippians (Phil. 1:6), states that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

So, you see, the process is important, everything cannot happen at once. Even, Jesus in Heb. 5:8, learned obedience by the things that He suffered. Now, this kind of temptation is aimed at cutting short the process. All the wealth, influence, and glory that the devil showed Jesus at the top of that mountain was already His (Jesus’) and more was to come by resurrection.

 

In Heb. 5:8, the bible states that even though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things that He suffered, therefore God had given Him a name that is higher than any name ever given to anyone in all three realms of the universe.

 

So, you see, if Jesus had given in to that temptation to gain ‘pseudo prominence’, He would have cut short the process, ruined His purpose, and settled for less.

 

Secondly, this kind of temptation is tailored to perfect your submission to another deity. How do I know this? Listen to Jesus’ reply in Matt. 4:10, “…for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.” So, even though this temptation promises wealth, pomp, and glamour, it is targeted at creating an idolater out of you.

 

Finally, did you notice that this temptation took place at a strategic vantage point, the top of an ‘exceeding’ high mountain? Why? To ensure laser focus (no distractions) and create a terribly graphic scene in the mind of Jesus all in a ploy to cause a shift from purpose and mess up a plan that had been established before time itself.

 

So, when you are tempted to believe the “all way na way” or “the end justifies the means” mantras, remember that you are only being myopic, you will cut short the process and miss out on the real deal and you are probably attending your final class before graduating as an idolater.

See you next time.

The end…