Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

XXX – Narrator - Grace
XXX – Satan – Dave
XXX – Jesus – John

Time for meditation, reflection, and prayer.


Dave, speaking as Satan:

(chuckles)
    I really thought I had him him this time. My timing was exquisite. Yes, I know he had just been baptized. I certainly could never forget that brilliant day he went into the river, God’s voice splitting open the heavens, God’s voice proclaiming Jesus as His Beloved Son.
    So, that’s why I waited. Waited and watched that first day as he walked into the wilderness – so sure of himself - as if he were being led. Waited and watched for 40 days as he went day after day without eating or drinking, not a single berry or a single drop of water.
    I really don’t understand why I would ever want to deny myself anything, but those religious people really love their practice of fasting. I slowly came to realize that’s what Jesus was doing, and then I knew that it was my chance to get him. He didn’t know it, but he was playing right into my hands!
    He got through the first several days with few problems. His experience in the water that day was pretty spectacular. It gave him this odd strength and satisfaction. After eleven days, though, he was hurting – grabbing his stomach, walking more slowly. Each day after that, he became just a little weaker. On the twenty-seventh day, I heard him crying. I almost went to him then, but instead, I waited. Finally on the fortieth day, the time had come. I went out to make him mine.
    Little did God know, I wanted him, too. I wanted him to belong to me. To do my bidding. To bow to my will.
    I had planned two temptations, but I never thought I’d have to use both. He seemed so weak, I though he would break right away. It was kind of a two-fold temptation. Brilliant on my part, brilliant!
    I expected that he would be doubting God by that point. Wondering if he had just been hearing things in the river that day. Desperate to prove, even to himself, that he was God’s son. So, I put that condition in the temptation that would give him bread – something no man in his right mind would turn down after 40 days of fasting.
    “If you are God’s Son, command these stones to become loaves for bread.” To my surprise, he didn’t take the bait. He just quoted Scripture back at me. But I wasn’t worried. I had another trick up my sleeve.
    I altered my second temptation just a bit and decided to fight fire with fire. People forget sometimes that anyone can quote Scripture – even me. I brought him to the holy city and we stood together on the highest point of the temple. The view was amazing, and we watched the people below living their lives, moving from one place to the next. I was still amazed that he wasn’t hungry enough to fall into my first trap, but I was sure this second one would get him. If he wasn’t craving food, certainly he must be craving the limelight. I had no doubt he would jump on the chance to finally show everyone who he was and the amazing things he could do.
    So, I dared him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” And then I quoted Scripture like the best of them. “For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concering you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Haha!!!! I was sure I had him with this one. But, no. He just looked at me – patiently and almost sadly – and quoted Scripture again. Something about not testing God. Whatever!
    I had to think quickly now. I couldn’t believe it. In his weak state, he was wearing me down. Even after 40 days, he wasn’t tempted with food. He wasn’t tempted to show off who he was or what he could do. What else could he want? What could I offer him to make him mine?
    It came to me like a bolt of lightning. I kicked myself for not starting with this. It’s what every man, woman and child wants, really. Power. I would tempt him with the promise of power. Power, and all the things that power brings.
    So, I took him to another high place. And I showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And I offered it to him. “Look around”, I said. “Take it all in.” “I will give all of this to you if you do one simple, little thing for me. Fall down and worship me.” His knees began to tremble. He seemed to be shaking and I thought he was going to fall. My breath caught in pure anticipation of what this would mean – of the power this would give me.
    But then his voice came at me sharply and I realized he was shaking not in weakness, but in anger. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. And then quoted Scripture again.
    I left him then. Too stunned to come up with another trick to tempt him. At a loss for what in the world he could possibly want beyond what I had offered him. There has to be some crack in his armor. If anyone can find it, I know I can. I still get after him here and there whenever I get a chance – hoping he’ll submit to my will.
    I do the same to his followers. I’m happy to report that I’ve caused a lot of doubt and suffering along the way. I’ll admit, though, that Jesus has this knack of turning much of what I do into good. It is almost -- diabolical.
    But I’m not quitting. Someday I will have my way. I’m not anything if not patient. Someday I will have my way.  Someday. . .  Someday . . . Someday . . .

John speaking as Jesus – It doesn’t seem like he’s ever going to quit, does it?  He wants to win, no matter the cost and some days it looks like he is winning.  But don’t worry.  My Father has everything under control.  Hold on for a surprise ending that no one expects, least of all Satan.  In the mean time, keep following me.  Whatever he tries to pull over on us, we’ll get through it together.