Who, or what, is Satan?
In preparation for his ministry, Jesus spends forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. During this time, Jesus suffers hardships and endures temptations. Satan comes to Jesus and reveals the kingdoms of the world and offers him all the power and glory of the earth. Jesus answers, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve!’” (Luke 4:8)
Jesus rejects Satan, but more than that, Jesus rejects the ambition to be the ruler of the world. Jesus knows that true glory is only achieved in God’s heavenly kingdom.
Later, Jesus decides to tell the apostles about what is to happen in his final days. He tells them he will be persecuted and killed but will rise again. Peter can’t comprehend what Jesus is saying and argues with him about how to deal with the elders. Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Mark 8:33)
Jesus chastises Peter in the same way he rejected Satan: “Get behind me, Satan!” Not because he sees Peter as the devil, but because Peter is immersed in matters of the world, ‘the things of men,’ and not the promise of eternal life. And that’s what satan is: focusing our lives on the trappings of this world instead of being devoted followers of Jesus.
After Jesus sends seventy disciples to spread the message of eternal life, they return jubilant at how well received they were by the communities where they preached. Jesus says in response:
“I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” (Luke 10:18)
With these words, Jesus affirms that everyone who believes in him is one less person fallen from heaven, one more soul raised up to eternal life.
Following Jesus means to reject satan and worldly temptations. By pledging your soul to God and not to the world, you behold, as Jesus did, satan’s fall from heaven, you are witness to satan’s wake.