Matthew 4:7-11: in context

This is the end of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. The devil has already tried hunger and spectacle; now comes the sweeping offer. He takes Jesus to a very high mountain, shows him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and offers the whole thing in one transaction: all of this, if you will fall down and worship me. Jesus answers with scripture, Get behind me Satan, you shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only. The devil leaves, and angels come and serve him.

Notice the shape of the offer. Satan offers Jesus exactly what Jesus came to receive anyway, all the kingdoms of the world, the nations as his inheritance. The temptation is not to a different goal but to the same goal by a shortcut, the crown without the cross, dominion without obedience, everything at the price of one act of worship pointed the wrong way. That is how the real temptations usually come, not as an invitation to do obvious evil but as a faster road to a good we already want. Jesus refuses because the terms are the whole problem: the moment worship goes to anyone but God, the prize is worthless even if you get it. He will indeed receive all authority in heaven and on earth, but from the Father, on the far side of the cross, with his worship intact. Each of his three answers is simply scripture, the plain written word held up against a tailored lie.

Where am I being offered something good by a road that quietly asks me to bow to the wrong thing to get it?