It runs right out to the Dead Sea, and there it comes to a drop of 1,200 feet, a drop of limestone, flint and marl. Next, I want you to note the agent of temptation. In the passage he is referred to as the devil and the Tempter. The devil is nowhere pictured in this passage, and he is not physically described. Rather, the text suggests that Satan operated mainly with words, by suggestion and argument, and by introducing thoughts, ideas and possibilities to Jesus' mind.
Some people wonder if the devil really exists.
Last year we did a series on the Lord's Prayer, and there I talked about the reality of Satan, that he is a powerful force of evil in opposition to God. He is real, he exists, and he is up to no good as far as you and I are concerned. And finally, by way of introduction I want you to note the significance of the temptation. It represents Christ's victory over evil and the devil himself, and it portrays the way in which Christ refused to be diverted from God's purpose for His life and take a shortcut around His messianic mission. Having said all this, let's take a look at each of the three temptations.