The Tempter is not done yet

The devil now looks (Matt. 4:8) to an attempt to trap Jesus by his own words. From a high point of observation, he looks out at all the kingdoms of men and their glory. I love flying in to cities like Philly or Dallas or Chicago at night. Their skyline is incredible. The lights of the streets make a great grid-work of shining jewels against a black velvet background. The high buildings with their windows lit stand out from the ground, monuments to the architectural prowess of man. The kingdoms of man are truly impressive, by any earthly standard. Hmm. There's the problem. I don't know what was going on in the devil's head when he tried to tempt Jesus, the Son of God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, with earthly kingdoms. Yeah, they have shiny lights, but who made the light?
Anyway, the ploy goes like this. "Jesus, you've been preaching about the kingdom of God at hand - well, have I got good news for you! I can advance your kingdom efforts immediately - I'm your guy. Well, actually, I want to be your god!" 
Jesus makes a less-than-subtle change in his response to the Tempter. He says, before quoting scripture, "Be gone!"
James 4:7 tells us, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from us." Jesus demonstrates this principle before James even writes it. The efforts of the Tempter have been shown for what they are. When he wants Jesus to bow down and worship him, he tips his hand - he wants to displace God. He doesn't want to help Jesus establish who he is before the nations. He doesn't want to have Jesus establish his kingdom. He doesn't even want Jesus fed. He wants Jesus to act like Esau and, for his own personal comfort and ease, sell his birthright. 
"Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him." One of the great principle of the Christian life is demonstrated here. On the other side of a temptation is a blessing. Whenever you are getting ready to do a work for God, and you have made a commitment to give him your all, temptation will come. It will take real faith and perseverance to come out shining on the other side. But if these things be in you and abound, they make you that you will neither be barren nor unfruitful in your knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay with it, and be blessed. That blessing is just a little further on, and its got your name on it.
Hallelujah!