Paradise Regained (Novel version)

Chapter 7 - The Final Temptation, and Paradise Regained

Jesus went to rest for the night, and for the morning it was to be His fortieth day. And He saw a large tree in the edge of the wilderness, and it's roots were brought out of the ground so that it made a nice cover. And in it, Jesus slept on the ground, for the dew had been too much for Him these past days, and He wished to have cover from it.

And as Jesus slept, Satan, while he was up in the air, decided that he was to make Jesus' night as miserable as he could. He came to Jesus' sleeping body as a mist and began to whisper nightmares into His head. He began to give Him horrible visions of death, pain, and suffering.

And Satan conjured a storm. And this was no normal storm, but a large lightning storm that the world had rarely seen. Lightning was constant, thunder roared, and the wind was enough that it made even the mightiest of trees bow over. And rain poured all night.

And the next morning, Jesus, wet and uncomfortable, arose from the root system and began to walk again. And after Jesus walked around to gather His thoughts and say His morning prayers, he wandered further for a couple more hours, until the afternoon..

And Satan saw him and flew down to him. "That was quite a storm last night, was it not?"

Jesus, still annoyed with his presence, responded. "Indeed."

And Satan spoke. "I assure you this is only the first of many things to come. Did I not tell you that there would suffering in your future? This is surely only the beginning. Now that you are serving this ministry of yours, there will be much physical and mental pain and suffering that you will endure. Truly, I tell you if you are to avoid all of this, you need me at your side! If nothing else, take your throne quickly so you may avoid all of this."

And Jesus looked at Him, still amazed that he kept this up. He responded. "Indeed? Satan, I am merely wet, and there isn't much else wrong with me. And those terrors of the mind, as horrible as they were, did me no harm as I had no fear that they would harm me. And as loud as the storms were, what were they to do to me, for I am protected by the Father, and you can surely not kill me. Everything that happened to me last night was not of the Father, so the only other being that would have done this would be you. So answer me this, why would I want to be in league with such a being that wants to destroy me, because you still think me not smart or wise? I know what happens when I take the throne, Satan, just as you know what happens. So whatever game you are playing at here, whether you build up vanity within me or tempt me otherwise or cause storms, nightmares, or anything of the sort, I assure you and I promise you this: it will not work."

In response, Satan screamed in rage. His blood boiled and he shouted above the clouds. Jesus did not budge, however, at the mental anguish of the fallen angel, for the demon wanted no comforting or forgiveness. And Satan paced back and forth and eyed down the Son of God. "Then what do you want son of David and Virgin-born, for Son of God is not proven to me at all! I have heard the prophecy of the Messiah of all the prophets, and I waited for your birth for years!! You were announced by Gabriel himself! The angels came down to Earth and sung songs of your praises when you were born, and I was there to see you born!! They sang, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest!' THAT WAS YOUR BIRTH SONG WAS IT NOT?! And you were born in Bethlehem in a manger, a MANGER! AMONG BEASTS!! And all the while I watched you as an infant, I watched you as a child, and in your youth! And your manhood at last it has come, and you kept in private your entire life, being the son of a carpenter!! And you went to the bank of the Jordan to be in with the bosom of your cousin the Baptist, and I heard it, and those who were there to be Baptized heard it as well, that you were the Son of God and you were BELOVED! You are not the Son of God, you are not acting like one! And all this time, I thought of your worth as it could be nearer to my view, and narrower scrutiny indeed, so I might learn why you are called this Son of God! It makes no sense that you are called this!! You are a Son of God, do you not know that I am a Son of God...?!!"