The Search for Significance

“Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all the wonderful things in them. The devil said, “If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.” Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan! The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!’” Deuteronomy 6:13”
Matthew 4:8-10 ERV

The third temptation of Jesus may be our biggest temptation that we face. The search for significance. The longing to be noticed. The hunger for power in the world around us, however small our world is. 

Again, Satan puts some truth to this to make it almost believable. He is offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. That may confuse you. How can Satan offer all the kingdoms of the world? We need to understand that for a time, Satan is the ruler of this world. Jesus said,

“Now is the time for the world to be judged. Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out.”
John 12:31 ERV

That is the slice of truth in Satan's offer. If Jesus bows down, Satan can give him the cheap power that the world offers. Satan has the power to do that and he will do that...offer the empty things that seems wonderful. We are faced with this decision a daily basis. We long to dominate and control, if not others, at least the circumstances that we face. I teasingly stand in front of the document camera's light in my classroom and say, "I am the star of the show, not you." 

At an early age, we are drawn to the spotlight. We put a post on Facebook or Instagram and we check our "likes." The more talented or attractive or athletic we are, the greater the temptation to crave that attention. But be sure that you realizing what you are gaining...a cheap imitation for significance. 

Jesus points us to the true source of self worth. He says, " I will only worship the One who is worthy of worship." He submitted himself to the Father and did not seek the power and attention for himself. He did not seek to serve himself. In doing so, not only did he defeat his foe, he paid for our eternal significance. Until we get this right, we will spend our life trying to figure out why the world keeps disappointing us. Satan only offers the imitation. Jesus offers the real thing.