GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
LUKE 4:13
13 When the Devil had finished every temptation, he left him until an opportune time.
The Devil wasn’t finished, but so far nothing had worked. He had finished every temptation available to him at this time. As Bengel said, “Every spear was spent” (omnia tela consumpsit). Later on, the Devil would work through other means: Peter, (Mark 8:32) the Pharisees (Matthew 12:38), Jesus’ own family (Mark 3:21), and the crowds (John 6:15).
Mark tells us that angels came and attended Jesus (Mark 1:13), although Luke chooses to move right to his preaching ministry next. When Mark mentions the angels, he doesn’t mean the Devil, although the Devil is a fallen angel (Luke 10:18). The angels Mark describes “attended him,” which is a verb related to the word ‘deacon’ (διακoνέω), “to care for, see after; provide for.” They came and helped Jesus, and we wouldn’t be surprised if part of this meant bringing him food the way the ravens brought food to Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kings 17:6). Luther comments: “This is written for our comfort, that we may know that many angels minister to us, as well, when a devil [that is, a demon] attacks us. If we fight with a knightly spirit and stand firm, God will not let us suffer want. The angels of heaven would sooner appear and be our bakers, waiters and cooks, and minister to all our wants. This is not written for Christ’s sake, since he doesn’t need it. If the angels served him, they can also serve us.”
The Devil wears two hats. Here in the temptation of Jesus, we only see him as the Devil, or “Liar.” As the great Liar, he tempts us and tries to get us to fall away from God’s will. But then, when we’ve fallen, he suddenly dons his other cap and attacks us as Satan. His name Satan means “Accuser” or “Enemy,” and this is where he mercilessly attacks us like a prosecutor: “How could you sin against God? How will God ever forgive you? How can you stand yourself; how can you live with yourself?!” The Devil is nasty and cruel in every way. He is never, ever your friend. He is always and only your enemy. Don’t ever forget that. Just as Jesus is always and only your friend, the old Liar is just the opposite. The difference is that Jesus has forgiven all the sins the Devil wants to dredge up. Don’t let him. Move on to tomorrow in the service of your Savior, and know that he loves you today and always.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Archives by Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel: http://www.wlchapel.org/worship/daily-devotion/
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota