For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
The evil one took Jesus to a high mountain. It’s popular for artists to depict the evil one in all sorts of cartoonish or heinous ways, but the further I’ve gotten in my spiritual journey the more I’ve come to picture him as the Great Story describes him, the most beautiful of God’s angels appearing as an angel of light. The evil one is the greatest “influencer” that ever existed. In fact, “The Influencer” is an apt moniker for him. Beautiful, gorgeous, absolutely stunning in appearance. His is the face that immediately stops your death scrolling. His appearance, his dress, his demeanor, his crib, his ride, virtually everything about him creates instant envy. Man, if only I could be that, have that, experience what that life is like. And, it’s all curated to appeal to each of us individually just as each of us desire.
Almost all the major events of the Great Story happen on mountains…
The Story begins in the Garden which is described as a mountain.
The Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
David established the capital on Mount Zion, and on Mount Zion Solomon built God’s Temple.
Jesus constantly went up a mountain to pray.
Jesus gave His most influential message on a mountain side.
Jesus was transfigured on a mountain.
The Great Story ends with the City of God on a mountain.
So, it’s fitting that The Influencer takes Jesus to a mountain. In an instant he shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. The wealth, the power, the opulence, the mansions, the artwork, the beautiful people, the fashion, the Oval Office, the throne, the C-Suite, the corner office, but I think there was probably also the wife, the viral Pinterest home, the perfect children, the gathering, the feast, the romantic sunsets, the peaceful retreats, the perfect family vacations, the travel, the adventures, the adrenaline pumping thrills, and of course the mind-blowing sex. It was all there, curated just as Jesus would desire it.
What I never truly noticed for the longest time is what The Influencer said next.
“I will give you all of it; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”
Jesus always called The Influencer “The Prince of This World.” As the Great Story tells it, this world did become his dominion after the Eden debacle. And while he stands condemned, like all of us, he remains out on parole waiting final judgement. But in the meantime, the kingdoms of this world are his to do with as he pleases. And while he loves all that the kingdoms of this world have to offer, his own beauty, and The Influencer role that stops you scrolling, what he really delights in is the chaos, the addiction, the misogyny, the violence, the wars, the sickness, the pain, the cancer, the tragedy, hatred, depression, loneliness, and despair to which he wants to lead me in hopes that I will abandon the thing that he hates the most: Life, which is God’s gift.
In today’s chapter, Paul reminds Jesus’ followers that it is The Influencer, and the kingdoms of the world over which he currently has dominion along with the rulers, authorities, and powers of those kingdoms with which I struggle daily. And what is my armor in that struggle?
Truth
Righteousness
Jesus’ Message of Peace
Faith
Salvation
Spirit
Word
Prayer
Jesus declined The Influencer’s offer on that high mountain. He chose a humble life of love, service, contentment, prayer, and sacrifice. He chose to obediently give up this earthly life and suffer an earthly death He didn’t deserve so that I might have the same choice that He did on that mountain: to eschew The Influencer, the Prince of this world, refuse the kingdoms he controls, and choose the King and His eternal kingdom. All I have to do is choose to follow in Jesus footsteps, to live and obediently walk in the way of love, service, contentment, prayer, and sacrifice.
And so, I set out on this another day of my earthly journey, step-by-step, placing my feet in His footprints.
Tomorrow we begin our trek through the final of Paul’s “Prison Letters” with Philippians 1!
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
