Temptation of Christ
Matthew 4:1-17, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-12, Psalm 91:11-12, Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13, 6:16, James 1:13
As the story picks up we see that the Spirit leads Jesus in the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
There are two important underlying notes to highlight as we begin in this passage. First, we see that the 40 days of Jesus fasting in the wilderness mirrors that of Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. In both situations, God leads his people through a long waiting and character developing process in order to achieve His plan. Second, Christ was led into the wilderness by the Spirit. God meant for this scenario to play out. We may ask then, why did God through the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil?.
Satan tried to tempt Jesus throughout the 40 days, this passage provides insight into three of those attempts. The first was a physical temptation, the tempter tried to get Jesus to just stop his fast, if he was God he could surely turn stones into bread. The second was a temptation of pride, specifically pride in putting God to the test. The third was a temptation to have worldly possession and status.
Through taking a closer look at this passage and bringing in a few other passages from scripture we can identify a few key reasons Jesus was put through temptation.
1. This process demonstrated Christ’s humanity.
The first key here is that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. The second is understanding that when Jesus is tempted he unlike us resists temptation, becoming the perfect intercessor for us. It is through this story we can understand Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus in every way can empathize with his people because he came to be like us yet in every way did not sin.
2. This passage was an example to us to rely on God and his word.
Each time the enemy tempts Jesus, he rejects the temptation by quoting scripture the the devil
Jesus was relying on the word of God, and he was relying on his Father in Heaven. Jesus, who was fully God, was relying on God and His word in order to resist temptation and cast away the devil. Now Jesus was God, so it is not that he needed to do this per se, but he did so for strength from the one who gives strength, reliance on the God who can never fail. Jesus gave us the ultimate example here. When a temptation comes, what should you do? We ought to throw scripture at the temptation, throw truth at the enemy, and cast away the enemy by relying on God. Jesus relied on God’s word, so we should too.
3. This process prepared Christ for ministry.
As the enemy leaves and the 40 days in the wilderness ends, Jesus hears of John the Baptist's arrest. So he travels into Capernaum where he begins his ministry, beginning to preach and calling people to repentance. Right after his time in fasting and facing the trial of temptation, he goes and begins his ministry.
God knew what Jesus had ahead of him, a ministry full of persecution leading to death on a cross. This process of fasting and relying on God through temptation prepared Jesus for the road ahead.
Overall, the temptation of Christ was forming for his life and foundational for our understanding of how we ought to rely on God and His word. As we reflect on Jesus' example we must ask a few questions. How do we handle temptation? Do we rely on God and His word? Take a few moments to reflect on these areas of your life.
Glory to you Jesus for your example, for being perfect, and for allowing us to have a hope in a Lord that never fails.
