“Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’””
Matthew 4:8-10 NASB
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, Jesus’ last temptation was the kingdoms of the world. Jesus was not only the Messiah for the world but also the answer to God’s covenant to David that he would have someone sit on the throne forever. Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. John the Baptist had announced the Kingdom of God and Jesus’ arrival. However, Jesus’ arrival on the earth was to fulfill the Father’s will and desire to save the world. It was not Jesus’ time to reign as King on the earth. So Satan was offering Jesus a chance to take over the kingdoms of the world by Satan’s hand. This temptation continued through others, as other people tried to convince Jesus to take his place as King and restore the kingdom to Israel. “So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.” John 6:15 NASB
When Jesus came to the earth, He was here to do the Father’s will – reveal the Father, teach others about the Kingdom of God, seek and save the lost. Jesus also came to die for the sins of the world and be raised again on the third day. It was not his time to reign as King. Even today we know that Jesus’ reigns. All authority in heaven and on the earth have been given to Jesus. As disciples of Jesus we live in this tension that the Kingdom of God is here but not fully revealed on the earth. Jesus also said that only those who are born again and who born of water and spirit can enter the Kingdom of God. “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 NASB
When Jesus commissioned His disciples and us we were told to go and preach the gospel to the nations, making disciples and teaching them to obey the commands of Jesus. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 24 that the end of the world would not come until this Gospel is preached to all nations. This is supposed to be our priority. Unfortunately, Satan has tempted us with the same temptation as Jesus, we can have the kingdoms of this world to rule over them.
For some in the church they have succumb to this temptation. There has been such a zeal by some Christians to take over the kingdoms of this world by any means necessary. In the United States of America, since 2016, the slogan “Make America Great Again” has dominated and taken on a life of its own. It is not only a slogan but a rally cry by many including Christians to take this nation back.
When asked what people want to take back for some Christians it is the the presidency and control of the government of the United States for God. They desire to make this nation one that is ruled by God’s law and to stop the advancement of the liberal agenda and progressives. This seems like a noble and good cause but the pursuit for this kingdom of the United States is by any many necessary. However, when we look closely at this movement to make America great again, we can see that the spirit behind this movement and the fruit of this movement have nothing to with God. Political idolatry has taken root and men, not God, have been revered and glorified. This is Satan’s temptation – to give God’s children the kingdoms of this world if only we would worship him.
To be continued…
Reflections 