If…

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying 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.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (Matthew 4:1-11, NRSV)

Bread, pinnacle and kingdoms of this world! What would you do?

Satan tells Jesus He doesn’t have to suffer the hunger. If He is truly the son of God, He can turn the stones all around Him to bread and eat. Heck why not fillet minion!

And then Satan takes Him to the pinnacle of the temple, the closest point in Jewish understanding from earth to heaven. This is the highest place anyone can go without ascending into heaven. And Satan tells Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself off… ” You will not be harmed.

And then Satan offers Him the kingdoms of this world, which if He is the Son of God are truly His anyway, right…

But you see the biggest word and most intriguing word in this passage is if. It makes us think that Satan is not sure who Jesus is. Like he is asking Jesus if He really is the Son of God.

But Satan is not asking, he is affirming who Jesus is. You see in Greek the word for if, also means since. So to me this passage is Since you are the Son of God, turn these stones to bread and jump off the highest place on earth because you will not be hurt.

Satan wants Jesus to worship him, and that is what he wants from us as well, by questioning who Jesus is. Satan knows and we can be sure that Jesus is the Son of God and He does walk with us in out journey!

So since He is with you, go and share His grace. And don’t question that!