Christ the Conqueror: Part 2. Christ Overcoming Satan`s Schemes.

[Marilyn C]

Satan`s Schemes.

When God created man, Satan was right there to interfere and try to control man. He tempted Adam and Eve to act apart from God – to be self-seeking. Once they did Satan continued to influence humanity. Over time the wickedness of man came to a head and God judged them with the flood.

After the flood God told Noah that man was responsible for their deeds and if blood was shed then God would require the same from those who committed the crime. This included all lesser crimes. Man, therefore, was given responsibility to govern others.

As families became tribes and then nations, we see Satan continuing to influence them. The prophet Daniel records how there were `princes` behind the major nations of the time – Persia and Greece. (Dan. 10: 20)

Following them was the great Empire of Rome. It was powerful, cruel, and reaching far and wide across the known world. Into this area came Jesus to be born as a baby in Bethlehem. The angels heralded His birth and told the shepherds who were guarding their flocks, that `a Saviour who is Christ the Lord` was born in a manger. (Luke 2: 8 – 15)

Later, wise men also came to see this baby. They went first to Jerusalem asking `Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?` (Matt. 2: 1 & 2) King Herod appointed by Rome was troubled and wanted to know where the young child was. The wise men were warned however and did not return to Jerusalem. Herod was then exceedingly angry and sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years and under.` (Matt. 2: 16)

Now, Satan would have also seen and heard the angels and wise men. He understood that this baby was a special one who would be King of the Jews. Israel was God`s own nation who were to teach the other nations of God, but they had rebelled and thus were under Gentile rule. However, their King had come, and thus they would be able to rise as a nation under God again. Satan realised this and so began his schemes to get rid of Jesus.

But an angel warned Joseph, Jesus` father to flee to Egypt and so Satan`s plan was thwarted for a time. Jesus grew up and became a man. Then, one day when John the Baptist was baptising people, Jesus came and was baptised also. When Jesus arose out of the water behold the heavens opened and a voice came from heaven, `This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.` (Matt. 3: 16 & 17)

Satan then realised that this man was the very Son of God. Thus, Satan sets about to tempt Jesus when He was in the wilderness. `If you are the Son of God.` (Matt. 4:3 & 6)

 

[Marilyn C]

Overcoming Desire for Self-Needs.

When Jesus started His ministry, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. He fasted for forty days, and then Satan, the devil came to Him. He tried to tempt Jesus to use His position as the Son of God for self-interest and not according to the Father`s plan. Satan came when Jesus was most vulnerable.

After fasting for forty days Jesus became very hungry. Satan came and tempted Him to turn a stone into bread. Jesus would then be using His supernatural abilities for His own self-needs.

`Now when He (Jesus) had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

But He answered and said, “It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,`” (Matt. 4: 2 – 4)


Then when Jesus miraculously fed the five thousand it was for them and not for His own needs that He produced food for the hungry multitude.

`Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

So when they were filled He said to His disciples, “gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost. Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.` (John 6: 11 – 13)

During His life on earth Jesus had need of shelter, food and clothing but He never used His supernatural abilities for His own self needs.

`And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.` (Luke 9: 58)



Jesus never used His supernatural abilities for His own needs or to give man all he needed supernaturally and make life easier. Miracles were done as the Father directed to show that Jesus had authority and power over the elements, diseases, demons etc.

 

[Marilyn C]

Overcoming Desire for Self-Preservation.

Again, Satan tempted Jesus to show that He is the Son of God by being protected from harm and thus death by throwing Himself off the Temple.

`Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: `He shall give His angels charge over you,` and, `In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.`” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.`”


Then when Jesus was betrayed in the garden one of His disciples used a sword to protect Him. Jesus revealed that He could ask the Father for protection against death by sending twelve legions of angels but that way wouldn`t fulfill the Father`s plans. Jesus said –

“ Put up your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How could the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”(Matt. 26: 53)


Being protected from death was not helping mankind. Jesus knew that it was only by going to the cross and taking on Himself the sins of the world, that He would overcome the devil and his power over death. It was not through self-preservation.

`Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.` (Heb. 2: 14 & 15)



Jesus did not seek self-interest for protection but looked to the Father as He obeyed.

`Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.` (Heb. 5: 7 & 8)

 

[Marilyn C]

Overcoming Desire for Self-Glory.


Finally, Satan, the devil tempted Jesus to receive rulership and glory of the world systems by going against what the Father has written.

`Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world (system) in all their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if you will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve.` (Matt. 4: 8 – 10)



Then when Jesus miraculously healed people, He did not desire them to tell others so that He would receive adoration from them.

`When he had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matt. 8:1 – 4)



Also, after Jesus raised the ruler`s daughter to life, two blind men cried out for mercy. When Jesus healed them, He warned them to not tell others, for Jesus did not seek men`s glory.

`When Jesus departed from there, (the ruler`s house) two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when he had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”

But when they had departed they spread the news about Him in all that country.` (Matt. 9: 27 – 31)



Jesus was not desiring self-glory but to do the will of the Father.