The devil

Satan could not imagine that God would not simply send a great righteous man in His place, but would come to Earth Himself. Finally, he heard that the long-awaited Christ had revealed Himself at the baptism in the Jordan River. Unable to penetrate the mystery of the Incarnation, the devil could not be certain that Jesus was truly the Messiah. As soon as Christ withdrew into the desert, the devil resolved to come personally, see, and conquer. For forty days, Christ was immersed in prayer, and no one could have interrupted His conversation with the Father if not for the Lord's human nature, which needed nourishment. Only after seizing a brief moment of Christ's physical weakness did the devil approach Him to tempt Him. The first temptation with which the devil approached Christ was clearly prompted by Satan's bewilderment. The devil said to Christ: "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." He deliberately doesn't mention Christ's hunger, but flatters Him and slyly reminds Him of His dignity. Having failed the first time, he didn't retreat. The devil takes Him into the city and places Him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down! For it is written: 'He will give His angels charge over You, and in their hands they will bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone.'" Incidentally, Satan's repeated appeal to Christ—if You are the Son of God—is in itself interesting. The second temptation is an attempt to play on His ambition. Throwing Himself from the Temple in full view, so that the angels could catch Him mid-flight—what could more clearly prove His divine nature? The devil, confident in his ability to lie, calls upon the man Jesus to test whether God fulfills His promises, to literally test Scripture on himself—will angels appear and save Him? But the Savior doesn't fall for this trick and replies, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." It is so important to Him to hinder the Savior, to force Him to sin, that He makes seemingly great sacrifices for this purpose. And the devil said to Him, "I will give you power over all these kingdoms and their glory, for it is given to me, and I give it to whomever I will, if you fall down and worship me!"

Satan could not imagine that God would not simply send a great righteous man in His place, but would come to Earth Himself. Finally, he heard that the long-awaited Christ had revealed Himself at the baptism in the Jordan River. Unable to penetrate the mystery of the Incarnation, the devil could not be certain that Jesus was truly the Messiah. As soon as Christ withdrew into the desert, the devil resolved to come personally, see, and conquer. For forty days, Christ was immersed in prayer, and no one could have interrupted His conversation with the Father if not for the Lord's human nature, which needed nourishment. Only after seizing a brief moment of Christ's physical weakness did the devil approach Him to tempt Him. The first temptation with which the devil approached Christ was clearly prompted by Satan's bewilderment. The devil said to Christ: "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." He deliberately doesn't mention Christ's hunger, but flatters Him and slyly reminds Him of His dignity. Having failed the first time, he didn't retreat. The devil takes Him into the city and places Him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down! For it is written: 'He will give His angels charge over You, and in their hands they will bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone.'" Incidentally, Satan's repeated appeal to Christ—if You are the Son of God—is in itself interesting. The second temptation is an attempt to play on His ambition. Throwing Himself from the Temple in full view, so that the angels could catch Him mid-flight—what could more clearly prove His divine nature? The devil, confident in his ability to lie, calls upon the man Jesus to test whether God fulfills His promises, to literally test Scripture on himself—will angels appear and save Him? But the Savior doesn't fall for this trick and replies, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." It is so important to Him to hinder the Savior, to force Him to sin, that He makes seemingly great sacrifices for this purpose. And the devil said to Him, "I will give you power over all these kingdoms and their glory, for it is given to me, and I give it to whomever I will, if you fall down and worship me!"