The Crucified Messiah

Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of unlimited political power and chose the way of the Servant and the Cross - Matthew 4:8-11. The Devil tempted Jesus by offering him sovereignty over all the nations of the Earth. However, Christ, the Messiah of Israel, refused this seductive and politically pragmatic offer, and instead submitted to the path of the servant, which could only end with his death on a Roman cross.

Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness, and the effects of his victory were demonstrated as he exercised authority over demonic forces upon his arrival in Galilee where he began to proclaim the Good News – “ Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near! ” For, in Jesus of Nazareth, “ The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light. And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, to them did light spring up .” With the appearance of the “ Son of Man ,” the era of salvation had commenced.

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, which will be ruled by the Servant of Yahweh, the one who gave his life “to ransom many . ” Jesus arrived in Galilee proclaiming the Kingdom of God. In his ministry, the reign of God began to invade the Earth. However, the nature of the messianic kingdom differs radically from the governments, rulers and political ideologies of the present age, and it defies human expectations, experience, and wisdom.

After his baptism, the Spirit “ drove Jesus into the wilderness… for forty days and nights .” Like Moses on Mount Sinai, the Messiah of Israel found himself alone in the Judean wilderness where he was confronted by the Devil. His only guide was the Word of God. Like Israel, he was “ tested .” Unlike that nation, he overcame every challenge and emerged victorious from the experience “ FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ,” and he then began to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom in the villages of Galilee.