“Divine Paternity Test #2: False Worship” | Luke 4:5-8 Commentary

What follows is an excerpt from a Luke 4:1-13 Bible Study that was streamed on 1.27.21. This post was published on 4.23.22

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Commentary

After Jesus passes the first test (Lk 4:1-4), the devil tries to tempt Him again – this time, with false worship.

As we read in Luke 4:5-8:

5 Then he [the devil] took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “To you I will give this entire domain and their glory, because to me it has been granted, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Thus, if you worship before me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It has been written: You shall worship the LORD your God and serve Him only” [Dt 6:13]. (Lk 4:5-8, AT)

Now this word translated worship (προσκυνέω | proskyneō) means “to express in attitude or gesture one’s complete dependence on or submission to a high authority figure” to “(fall down and) worship…” to “prostrate oneself before…”¹

Now we know that God is ultimately in control. However, according to Scripture, the devil does have limited worldly power.² (Also, even Caesar had power for a census through the entire world (Lk 2:1)³).

For example, 1 John 5:19 says:

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. (1 Jn 5:19, NIV)⁴

Moreover, 2 Corinthians 4:4 says:

The god of this age [the devil] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4, NIV) ⁵

In addition, in Ephesians 2:2, the devil is also called “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Eph 2:2b, NIV)⁶ (cf. Jn 12:31-32; 14:30, 16:11)⁷

Other passages could be cited and we could say a lot more about this. But, for the sake of time, understand that Satan does have power and influence in this rebellious world. We can look around and find that that’s not hard to believe.

But also understand that Satan is not all-powerful and that the devil is a liar.

Just because Satan says it, doesn’t make it true.

Just because the devil offers you something, doesn’t mean he can deliver.

Here, the devil may be deluded or at least overselling his authority. As Jesus says, he is the father of lies (Jn 8:44)⁸ (cf. Job 1:12; Dan 4:32)⁹ (cf. Dn 10:13).¹⁰

Regardless, the Savior has more power than Satan. This is why Jesus is able to drive out demons (cf. Lk 8:26-39)¹¹

As we see in the very next chapter, in Luke 4:33-34, it says:

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Lk 4:33-34, NIV)¹²

The demons know who’s in charge. And while the devil is talking about mere kingdoms of this world, Jesus came to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God (Lk 4:43).

Not to mention, as we read in Luke 1, the angel Gabriel already promised Mary that Jesus would have a never-ending kingdom (Lk 1:32-33).¹³

Why would you trade that for a throne that is temporary?

Yet, how many people give up the privilege of eternal life for worldly thrills that are so temporary?

In any case, the devil offers Jesus a “shortcut”¹⁴ – a crown without a cross. ¹⁵ A crown without a cross.

Brothers and sisters, we too can have a crown if we carry our cross, follow Jesus, and endure trials.

As we read in James 1:12:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of lifethat the Lord has promised to those who love him. (Jas 1:12, NIV)

Speaking of crowns, the Messianic King – the Son of God – is promised power in Psalm 2.¹⁶

In fact, Psalm 2:7-8, it says:

7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:

     He said to me, “You are my son;

     today I have become your father.

8 Ask me,

     and I will make the nations your inheritance,

     the ends of the earth your possession. (Ps 2:7-8, NIV; cf. Dn 7:13-14;¹⁷cf. Mt 28:18)

God is going to grant Jesus all authority and an everlasting kingdom. Why settle for a temporary, earthly one ¹⁸¹⁹

The devil may be alluding to this Psalm by offering Jesus all the nations of the earth. The misrepresenter could be misrepresenting himself as if he was the one who could grant these kingdoms.

In any case, again, the devil tries to disrupt Christ’s faithful, obedient relationship with the Father. He wants Christ’s allegiance.²⁰

And again, Jesus passes the test by quoting Scripture.

He quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, which begins:

Fear the LORD your God, serve him only (Dt 6:13a, NIV; cf. Ex 20:3)²¹

My brothers and sisters, only God is worthy of our allegiance.²²

This is why, when Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is, he quotes the great Shema. Beginning in Deuteronomy 6:4, it says:

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Dt 6:4-5, NIV)²³

We are to be loyal to the LORD with everything we have – we can’t put anything or anyone before Him.

Now Israel, the son of God (Ex 4:22-23), engaged in idolatry and served other gods. As we see later in Deuteronomy 9:12, Moses says:

Then the LORD told me, “Go down from here at once, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have become corrupt. They have turned away quickly from what I commanded them and have made an idol for themselves.” (Dt 9:12, NIV)²⁴

And, later in Judges 3:5-6 we read that:

5 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods (Jdg 3:5-6, NIV)²⁵

So again, Jesus, the Son of God (with a capital S)(Lk 3:21-22), succeeds where Israel failed. He passes the test concerning false worship.

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