March 12, 2023 | by Pastor Peter

When Jesus rejects Satan’s offer of a kingdom in exchange for worship, he’s rejecting both Satan’s kingdom and its self-elevating vision of coercive power. Jesus instead demonstrates that God’s reign comes through self-emptying power. Christians face the same choice: we can use Satan’s tools of power–even in pursuit of an agenda we presume to be God’s–but if we do, we will reinforce Satan’s rule in the world. On the other hand, if we embrace God’s power, demonstrated by the victory of Jesus on the cross, then we testify to that victory when we avoid the seduction of coercive force and instead embrace the way of self-emptying love.