The devil did not stop at the first temptation, but offered much of his enticements to cut the Son from his Father’s communion, and abolish the salvation of the world. The evil one led the Holy One to a high mountain, and showed him all the countries, houses, treasures, animals, armies, technology, mightiness, and power of the earth, that Jesus, to whom all things have been delivered, called him thereafter "the ruler of this world".
The father of all liars alleged that the whole world was delivered to him, that he had the power to dispose of it and all its glory, and that he was prepared to give Jesus whatever he wished if he fell down and worshiped him. Jesus came to this world to return the corrupt world to God and to reconcile the disobedient with his Father. Now Satan is offering to Jesus to win the world without sufferings or death, on condition that one of the persons of the Holy Spirit should be enslaved by the spirit of the evil one.
Jesus, without delay, refused all riches, fame, and authority. He chose the written word, adhered to his Father with whom he was in continuous communion of love, and ordered the enemy, with a divine authority, to submit himself to God and worship the Creator, putting an end to his enmity through a sincere repentance. At this moment, heaven became out of breath, and all the chambers of hell trembled, for the Son of God ordered the devil to obey the faith.
However, the devil pretended to be deaf. He hardened his heart against the order of God, the Highest, showing his preparedness to accompany Christ to the temple to worship before God. He set Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple that overlooked the pious prayers in the holy temple; and then the accursed deceiver whispered into Christ’s ear, saying, "If you are the Son of God, proclaim your full glory, and throw yourself down from here, and the angels of God will race to bear you up on their hands, then you will show the power of God, according to your faith, and the multitudes will be filled with wonder, and acknowledge with shouts that this is the true Christ. They will worship to you willingly, hoping for the resurrection of the dead; and nothing wrong will happen to you for your faith will save you.
But Christ chose the way of the cross, knowing that his second glorious coming cannot take place without the cross, for God is not willing that any reprobate should be condemned by his glory, but that all should come to repentance and be saved. Jesus did not want to fascinate the harmless with incredible miracles, but to lead them to conversion and renewal of their minds. Christ refused the temptation of the devil in order not to lose his communion with his heavenly Father, or set his kingdom before the thought became ripe in the believers. Christ called that thought which was against the will of the Holy One "a temptation of God". He continued obediently, chose the way of the cross, and refused to make bread, put on authority, and show his glory.
What do you do in the temptation of the devil? Do you respond to your lusts, and become enslaved by your thoughts? Do you fall into the deception of riches and worship money in your subconscious? Do you want to put into effect the ways of God in your own power, without his guidance? Then you will become a follower of the devil, and lose your communion with God. Dear brother, choose to read the word of God everyday, content yourself with what you have, and pray to your Lord so that he may help you to understand his word with divine wisdom, and to carry it out in your social life, for the devil also knows the Bible, and he inspires you with the words of God in twisted manner. Make every effort to understand the word of your Lord truthfully, and continue in your sonship, in order that nothing separates you from God, your Father who filled you with his gentle Spirit so that you may complete the way of faith.