Jesus spent thirty years in obscurity developing himself before launching a ministry to transform the world. Prior to his ministry, he experienced three great tests (see Matthew 4:1-11) that refined his values and solidified his changeless core. In this sense, he became a leader worth following, and the changes he introduced eventually turned the world upside down. 

Jesus' first test is found in the temptation to turn stones into bread. Overcoming it clarified his value of denying instant gratification in order to achieve eternal purposes. Jesus came to do his Father’s will; he didn’t do what he wanted to do for himself. A leader worth following denies instant gratification for something greater. The change Jesus introduced was for the ultimate good of others. 

The second test is found in the temptation to cast himself off a pinnacle of the temple. This brought into focus the reason for his gifts, abilities, and strengths. Would Jesus use them to bring glory to his Father or would he use them to bring attention to himself? Imagine for a moment Jesus leaping off the highest point of the temple and gliding down in front of the religious leaders like a superman with these words: “I am Messiah—I…have…come!” 

Thankfully Jesus did not fail the test by seeking personal fame and glory. He had come to do his Father’s will, and in so doing, was a leader worth following whose changes were ultimately embraced and spread around the world. 

The last test is found in the temptation to bow down and worship the devil. This tested Jesus on whether or not he would choose shortcuts to success. In essence, the devil held out the kingdoms of this world to Jesus on a silver platter—“Just a few seconds on your knees, Jesus, and I’ll give the world's kingdoms to you…you can easily have what you’ve ultimately come for…take the easy path to success that I'm offering you!” But Jesus wouldn’t sell his soul to accomplish his life purpose. He took the long, hard, road of the cross to bring the kingdoms of this world back to his Father. 

With each temptation, Jesus came through victorious, clarifying his values and proving himself as someone worth following. I believe that, at least in part, this is what compelled the disciples to forsake everything (see Matthew 4:18-22 & Luke 18:28) and help build a Kingdom that required radical change. 

Stephen Covey once stated that “those who adapt well to changing environments generally have a set of changeless values within them and are congruent in behavior with those values.” Jesus’ unchanging set of core values and subsequent behavior provided credibility for the acceptance of his Kingdom. By adapting their Master’s values and behaviors, the disciples were empowered to aid the church during later times of persecution.