Who or What Do You Worship?

Last week, I asked each of you to consider what idols you have in your life. Were you honest with yourself? I hope so! It may not feel like you worship technology, food, celebrities, or even your family, but it is worth considering what your priorities are. 

Today, let’s look at how Jesus responded to Satan’s call to worship him.

Just for context, remember that Jesus had been fasting in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights before Satan approached Him. He had already asked Jesus to:

• turn the stones to bread (Matthew 4:3, Luke 4:3).

• throw Himself from the top of the Temple (Matthew 4:6, Luke 4:9).

Jesus used Scripture to rebuke Satan in each of these moments. 

Do you already know what else the tempter called Jesus Christ to do?

Let’s compare Matthew’s gospel with Luke’s.

Matthew 4:8-10 (CEV)

“Finally, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. The devil said to him, ‘I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship me.’

Jesus answered, ‘Go away Satan! The Scriptures say: Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ”

Luke 4:5-8 (CEV)

“Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth. The devil said, ‘I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. Just worship me, and you can have it all.’

Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ”

So what Scripture is Jesus referring to? Where in the Bible can we hear about worshiping only God?

“Worship and obey the Lord your God with fear and trembling, and promise that you will be loyal to him” (Deuteronomy 6:13 CEV).

In the Old Testament, Moses spoke to the Israelites about this very thing. While they may not have been bowing down to Satan, they did bow down and worship idols. They needed this command to worship only God, and so do we!

Friends, Jesus came to this world as a man over 2,000 years ago not to condemn the people, but to save them and call them to something better and higher! He remembered what the chosen people went through in the wilderness with Moses. And here, as you read from Matthew and Luke, He also went through temptations in the wilderness!

So what can we learn from this encounter from two different gospels?

Sometimes we’re presented with choices or options that seem really amazing. It seems stupid to say no to them. I’m being vague on purpose here because I want you to fill in a scenario from your own life that fits. The problem is, we are often tempted to choose paths that seem amazing but that are actually just easy, wasteful, unhealthy, or selfish. The adjective is really going to depend on your life and situation. Each of us is tempted by different things. 

Realistically, I don’t know if you and I can truly see and hear what is tempting us in our daily lives. If we did, then we would make a lot less mistakes.

Jesus heard Satan clearly, and He responded in the best way possible.

He rebuked this fallen angel with the Scripture, yet again.

Jesus was being offered power and glory, but it was so miniscule and meaningless in light of who He was and still is! Satan offered Jesus power over the very land that He—the Word, created! Why would Jesus say yes to Satan? He knew that even in his human form He was more powerful.

This is what we can learn from these moments in the gospels:

• When we know what God has said through the Bible, it enables us to hear and see when we are facing something that calls us away from worshiping and honoring the Lord.

• When we abide in God through fasting and prayer—just as Jesus did, then we are able to rebuke Satan and all the other temptations that are part of this world. 

Friends, let’s keep seeking a higher and more powerful path for ourselves and our families. I pray that each of us can use this season of Lent to grow closer to God by meditating on what Jesus endured and modeled for us. ❤️