Stein on the Wilderness Temptation of Jesus

"This temptation [to be given the world's kingdom in exchange for worshipping Satan] boils down to an offer to win the world without the 'cup' God had called him to drink (Mark 10:38). It involves a political solution to the world's problems. If the basic need(s) of the world could be solved by political action, this was the way Jesus should go. With the kingdoms of the world given him he could rid the world of hunger, war, injustice, poverty, and so on. A 'crossless' solution would solve such problems, and it would do so with no need of great suffering on his part. On the other hand, if the basic need of the world involved forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and salvation from future judgment, then such a 'victory' by Jesus would be a shallow one. 'For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?' (Mark 8:36). Jesus saw his mission as saving his people from their sins (Mt. 1:21), saving the lost (Mark 10:45), and leading his followers into Paradise (Luke. 23:43), and he had to follow the path God had ordained for him at his baptism (Mk. 10:38-39)."

Robert Stein, Jesus the Messiah