The Temptation in the Wilderness

Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1-12, 13, and Luke 4:1-13 give the account of Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Matthew and Luke give full accounts while  Mark merely mentions the occasion. I suppose I have never given much thought as to why Jesus was tempted previous to His ministry until this morning, at least not that I can remember (and I have forgotten much). We know the baptism of Jesus was previous to this event, that being the precursor to His ministry. One must first publicly confess His alignment with God on His terms, according to His truth before he can serve Him in any meaningful way. But such public confession is not enough. He must also be tested to see if his heart and mind are really sold out to God. Such was the reason for the temptation. Should one not pass such a simplistic test he has no cause to continue in the venue of public ministry, of representation of God. Unfaithful ambassadors are not ambassadors. Should one not be thoroughly consumed with that bulldogish, Jacobian "I'll not let you go" determination he cannot serve the Master of the universe. Failure in temptation is letting God go. One cannot hold on to Him and sin. One cannot fulfill an allegiance proclaimed and not continue in act, thought and deed in accord with that proclaimed allegiance. "You say it, now let me see it," says God. And how does He try and perfect His servant? By the allowance of direct solicitations to sin and heightened (sometimes greatly heightened) trials of normal life. When the devil comes or when life goes kaput, do you continue on or complain? Do you move on in God's work or move away from it? How quickly we are moved away from God by failure in our testings and temptations! Sins, complaints and cessations are nothing but "I quit"'s. Jesus was serious. Are you? He didn't quit or give in to the slightest, not even for a moment entertaining the thought. Do you? Hold fast. Be true.