Why Was Jesus Tempted In The Wilderness

Why was Jesus Tempted? Meaning and Significance of the Temptation of Christ

Then the Spirit took Jesus into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights. In the midst of his fasting for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. In response, the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become food.” “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” Jesus said. “Man shall not survive on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” The devil then transported him to the sacred city, where he was forced to stand on the highest pinnacle of the temple.

“It is also said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test,'” Jesus responded.

Then he said, “Will you kneel down and worship me?” “All of this I will give you,” he answered.

Because it says in the Bible, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.” The devil then left him, and angels appeared and took care of him for the rest of his life.

Was Jesus Tempted?

Some people question whether Jesus was actually tempted or this biblical account is simply a metaphor. Greg Laurie, as transcribed in the video above, explains why he believes Jesus was tempted: Jesus, according to the Bible, was tempted. He was tempted. You might say, “Wait a second, how could God be tempted? Doesn’t the Bible say God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does he himself tempt any man?” Yes, it’s true. The Bible says that. But yet the Bible also clearly teaches that Jesus was tempted.

You remember that after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and the spirit of God came upon him in the form of a dove and the father said, “This is my beloved son and whom I’m well pleased.” We read this spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Remember Lucifer started out by saying, “If you’re the son of God, why don’t you turn this rock into a piece of bread?” And Jesus, of course, refused that temptation and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Satan also took Jesus to the pinnacle of the edge of the temple and he said, “Why don’t you jump off of here, because it is written”, and the devil quotes scripture.

• And in this case he quotedPsalm 91, “His angels will have charge over you to keep you in all of your ways.” And Jesus came back and said, “It is written.
• But listen, he did not have that inward vulnerability to give in to the temptation.
• You see, the temptor needs cooperation with the temptee.
• And for that temptation to work, we have to desire and want the thing that’s being offered to us.
• Therefore, we might protest and say, “Well then he wasn’t really tempted”, because if he didn’t have the ability to fall, then that temptation was not genuine.
• He basically resisted it.
• How many of you have ever been tempted to sin?

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Now, if there was a.

Raise up your hand.

I’m glad to see that.

No.

Jesus resisted it.

So Jesus was tempted as we are.

Why did he even go through this?

It was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers, his sisters.

Since he himself had gone through temptation and suffering, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.

So don’t say, “No one knows what I’m going through right now.

And no one has ever faced the kind of temptations I’m facing right now”, because someone has and it’s Jesus. Though there may be no one else who can say I know exactly what you’re going through, Jesus did, or has and now he is here with you in your times of temptation as well.

When and Where was Jesus Tempted?

When it comes to coping with the period of temptation, there are three words that stand out. Matthew begins the account with the word “then,” while Mark uses the term “straightway” in this context, which is a distinctive phrase of the Gospel. The book of Luke begins with the word “and.” These phrases “then,” “straightway,” and “and” demonstrate the relationship between the temptation and what came before it, and so identify the moment of its occurrence with remarkable clarity. “After that, Jesus was led up by the Spirit.” When did this happen?

1. ” Here, the emphasis is placed even more heavily on the fact that the temptation occurred directly following the baptism.
2. was driven by the Spirit into the desert for forty days and nights.
3. As a result, the first act of the new phase of service was the testing of the Servant, which culminated in His complete victory over the adversary Satan.
4. TheanointingSpirit had signaled that He was prepared for what was ahead of Him.
5. The entire experience of baptism must have brought great satisfaction to Christ’s heart, and now, in the conscious strength of triumph already accomplished, He journeys into the gloom and loneliness of the desert in order to be tried and, as a result of the testing, to demonstrate His might.
6. According to Matthew, “into the wilderness,” according to Mark, “out into the wilderness,” and according to Luke, “in the desert.” Traditionally, it is believed that the temptation occurred in the desert.
7. Jesus now occupies the position of the second Man, the final Adam.
8. He is referred to as “the second Adam” far too frequently.
9. It refers to Adam as the “last Adam.” The first Adam reigned as the leader of a people.
10. He is the last Adam, and he is the last Adam of a race.
11. There is no adversary there other than the commander of the evil forces, and there is no friend there other than the God in whose hand His breath is, and in whose will all His ways are, and who is also his source of strength.

The wilderness is the location where evil may be dealt with immediately. All ancillary matters are thrown to the side.

Was it Satan Who Tempted Jesus?

As for the agent of temptation, Matthew refers to it as “to be tempted by the devil,” Mark refers to it as “Tempted by Satan,” and Luke refers to it as “Tempted by the devil.” When it comes to Jesus’ wilderness encounter with Satan, the emphasis should be placed on the fact that he came face to face with Lucifer, a fallen angel who had fallen from his lofty position as ruler of the first rank ofheaven and who was now in the position of leader over Satan’s armies during his wilderness sojourn.

1. There have been several attempts to provide other explanations for the desire.
2. The fact that all of this is purely imaginative and has not the smallest biblical foundation must lead to its dismissal as untrue on the spot.
3. This is just as unjustified as the previous one.
4. However, there is no need to waste time on these fruitless attempts to cast doubt on the historical truth of the biblical account.

Meaning and Significance of the Temptation of Jesus

In order to understand the significance of the temptation, we must go to the gospel stories. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit,” Matthew writes; Mark says “the Spirit drove Him,” and Luke says He “was led up by the Spirit.” Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all correct. The one fact that has been stated in these many ways must be remembered at all costs if the real significance of this temptation is to be grasped. A Divine plan was in the process of being formulated. In other words, Jesus’ meeting with Satan and trial did not “happen,” to borrow an overused metaphor.

1. Temptation is part of the Divine design and purpose in this situation.
2. If the devil had the opportunity to flee on that particular day, I am convinced it would have been done.
3. However, the entire Divine narrative demonstrates that the facts were quite the opposite.
4. This is not the approach used by the devil.
5. He tries to keep his own individuality hidden as much as he can.
6. His position was changed by Jesus, who pulled him from behind everything and placed him in front of everything so that he might do his worst against a pure soul for once, rather than via the subtlety of a second cause.
7. It took forty days for him to be tempted by the adversary, during which time he was still guided by the Holy Spirit throughout the entire process.
8. The only place He resisted was in His flawless Manhood, not in His Deity.
9. In this way, the Man Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, where he continued to be guided by the Spirit throughout the entire process of temptation.

G. Campbell Morgan’s The Crises of the Christ, Book III, Chapter X, is the source for this adaptation. Photograph courtesy of Pexels/Jeswin Thomas

What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ temptations?

QuestionAnswer The three temptations by Satan in the desert were not the only temptations that our Lord faced during his time on Earth, as some believe. We read in Luke 4:2 that He was tempted by the devil for forty days, but He was likely tempted at other times as well (Luke 4:13; Matthew 16:21–23; Luke 22:42), and yet He remained sinless and without compromise throughout the entire experience. Some have stated that the Lord’s fasting time is comparable to that of Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), but it is important to remember that what matters is how the Lord responds with temptation in the context of His humanity.

He was able to: 1) destroy the devil’s power and free those who were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:15); 2) serve as a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God and atone for our sins (Hebrews 2:17); and 3) be the One who is able to sympathize with us in all our (Hebrews 4:15).

• However, the most essential thing is that we have a High Priest who is able to intercede on our behalf and grant us the forgiveness that we deserve.
• Our Lord, however, was also ministered to by angels throughout this period of intense trial, which is a wonder in and of itself, considering that the almighty One would condescend to accept such assistance from inferior beings!
• The assistance of angels, who are ministering spirits sent to those who will inherit salvation, is provided to us as well at times of testing and difficulty (Hebrews 1:14).
• The first temptation is related to the desire for one’s flesh (Matthew 4:3–4; Mark 1:1–2).
• But our Lord responds with Scripture, citing Deuteronomy 8:3.
• However, the Lord responds with another verse of Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16), declaring that it is improper for Him to abuse His own abilities.
• Paul said that the devil already has authority over all kingdoms of the earth (Ephesians 2:2), but that he was now ready and willing to surrender all to Christ in exchange for His loyalty.
• There are numerous temptations that we unfortunately fall into because our flesh is inherently weak, but we have a God who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure; He will offer a way out of whatever situation we find ourselves in (1 Corinthians 10:13).
• The temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness help us recognize the numerous temptations that prevent us from properly serving God.
• There are a plethora of temptations presented to us by the powers of evil, but they all have three things in common: desire for the eyes, lust for the flesh, and a sense of personal accomplishment.
• The attacking weapon of a Christian soldier in the spiritual war of life is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Knowledge of the Bible on a deep level will put the Sword of the Spirit into our hands and help us to triumph against temptations. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) Is it possible to determine the significance and purpose of Jesus’ temptations?

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Why Was Jesus Tempted by the Devil?

Then the Spirit took Jesus into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights. — Matthew 4:16 As an illustration, consider that Jesus was brought by the devil into the desert to be tempted by the serpent. What is the reason for the devil? We are the source of the majority of our temptations—anger, desire, gluttony, self-centeredness, gossip, and a host of other emotions. Because they did not emanate from inside Jesus, what was the source of his temptations? It is important to note that the Bible constantly teaches that Jesus is sinless, including being free of original sin.

• (See Luke 23:41.) The identical phrase appears several times in other epistles as well: He turned him into sin, despite the fact that he was sinless.
• (See also Hebrews 7:26.) He had done nothing wrong, and there was no malice on his lips.
• 1 John 3:5 (The Bible) In the face of this biblical reality, we must reexamine our understanding of who Jesus Christ is on a deeper level.
• Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel (and the film based on it) The Last Temptation of Christ depicted Jesus as being confronted with temptations to desire that originate from inside himself while he hangs on the cross.
• Concupiscence is a disordered desire that each of us who are born with original sin experiences as temptations from inside ourselves.
• Elsewhere a doubt, the inner temptations that arise from within ourselves make us more open to the temptations that come from without, such as those of the world and Satan.
• His temptations, on the other hand, could only come from outside of himself.

Later, Peter enticed him to stop speaking about his impending suffering and death, prompting Jesus to denounce Peter as “Satan” for his actions (Matthew 16:23).

Jesus, on the other hand, does not succumb to any of these temptations.

When asked the question, St.

Despite this, Jesus frequently referred to himself as the “Son of Man.” Scripture clearly reveals that Jesus is both entirely God and totally human at the same time.

He, too, has been a victim of temptation.

What am I supposed to make of this?

Is Jesus someone to whom I may turn for strength and power in the face of temptation?

Do I have a deep-seated belief that Jesus knows and sympathizes with my personal difficulties? How many times a day do I turn to him? The following is an excerpt from the book Praying the Gospels with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ: Jesus officially begins his ministry. Wau.org/books has a collection of books.

Temptations of Jesus in the Wilderness

Jesus’ Temptations in the Wilderness–40 Days of Seclusion from the World The temptations of Jesus in the Judean desert took place immediately after John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, according to the Bible. You would expect that once Jesus had been supernaturally identified as the Messiah, he would begin to interact with large groups of people. In reality, no one was able to locate him. Jesus journeyed into the Judean desert, where he remained for forty days in solitary. A interesting one-on-one meeting between Jesus and the fallen angel Satan is recorded in the Gospels after Jesus and his disciples had been fasting for forty days in the desert without sustenance.

” During those days, he didn’t eat anything at all.

The devil challenged him, saying, “If you are the Son of God, order this stone to become bread.” He refused.

And the devil lifted him up and showed him all of the kingdoms of the earth in a split second, telling him, “To you I will give all of this authority and glory, for it has been handed to me, and I give it to anyone I like.” “If you would adore me, then you will have all you desire.” And Jesus said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve.'” “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve,” Jesus said.

Afterward, he brought him to Jerusalem and placed him on the temple’s pinnacle, where he said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,” because it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,'” and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest your foot strike a stone.'” Then Jesus responded to him, “It is written, ‘You must not put the Lord your God to the test,'” and he listened.

1. And after the devil had finished with him and his temptations, he withdrew from him until an appropriate time.
2. In the desert, three themes recurred throughout Jesus’ trials and temptations.
3. Jesus was starving, and Satan offered him the opportunity to turn stones into food.
4. The “lusts of the sight” were the subject of the third temptation.
5. It was in quoting the Hebrew Scriptures, which he had been studying since he was a child, that Jesus found strength.
6. The news of Jesus’ arrival spread over the entire countryside.
7. “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of his homecoming spread over the entire surrounding region.

Randall serves as the principal writer for ColdWater’s Drive Thru History® television series and Drive Thru History® “Adventures” curriculum, both of which are produced by ColdWater. Biography of a Professional

Reader Interactions

On Ash Wednesday, my wife was having a conversation with one of her coworkers who was perplexed by the ash crosses that were being placed on people’s heads that particular day. She took advantage of the situation to inform her buddy about Lent and how it depicts Jesus’ 40-day sojourn in the wilderness. Her companion said, “Well.why did Jesus have to walk into the desert?” she inquired of her. Especially coming from someone who isn’t Catholic, this is a serious and thought-provoking subject.

As the Catechism explains, the fact that Lent lasts for 40 days is no accident; “By the solemn forty days of Lent, the Church connects herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert” (CCC 540).

It is in the fourth chapter of Matthew’s gospel that the story of Christ’s temptation is presented.

In Jesus’ life, there are no coincidences, and it is certainly not by chance that Jesus goes into the desert immediately after the Holy Spirit reveals who Jesus is: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him” (Matthew 3:11-13).

• When it comes to the Christian life, temptation is a repeating topic; in fact, it was Adam and Eve’s inability to resist temptation that allowed sin to invade the otherwise flawless world that God created.
• The most significant distinction, of course, is that Jesus rebuked Satan with each temptation and placed his entire and absolute trust in God the Father to help him resist them.
• It is stated that after Jesus’ time in the desert came to an end, “the devil left him, and behold, angels appeared to him and ministered to him” (Matthew 4:17).
• This leads us back to the original question: Why did Jesus travel into the desert to fast and pray?
• Augustine, a “Mediator in conquering temptations, not only by assisting us, but also by setting an example for us.” In other words, Jesus takes on the role of the New Adam and atones for man’s inability to follow God’s instructions.
• Reflecting on Christ’s time in the desert and temptation serves as a guiding beacon of hope as Lent draws to a close and the Easter Triduum approaches.
• His temptations were similar to ours, and he demonstrated that through persistent prayer and complete dependence on God the Father, temptation loses its grip on the individual.

The following are the sources: Ascension PressNational Catholic Register Summa Theologiae is a Latin phrase that means “summary of theology.” Aaron Lambert is a writer and musician from the United Kingdom. In addition to his editorial duties, Aaron is the Managing Editor of the Denver Catholic.

Why was Jesus led into the desert in order to be tempted?

Why was Jesus sent into the desert, where he would be tempted by the devil? And, to our surprise, we discover that it was the Holy Spirit who guided Jesus to the location. So, if Jesus was sinless and always agreeable to the Father (John 8:29), why was he sent into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil and tested by the elements?

• “Then the Spirit took Jesus out into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil,” according to Matthew 4:1. “Immediately the Spirit compelled Him to walk out into the desert,” says Mark 1:12–13. 13 “And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan
• And He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” “And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan.” As recorded in the Gospel of Luke 4:1–2, “After returning from the Jordan River, Jesus was taken by the Spirit into the desert 2 for forty days, where he was tormented by the devil.” In addition, he did not eat anything during those days, and when they were over, he grew hungry.”

I am unable to give you the precise reason why Jesus was permitted to be tempted since the Scriptures do not provide us with such information. However, I am able to suggest several alternatives.

Jes us’ temptation was a demonstration of his humanity

We know from the Scriptures that Jesus is God manifested in human form (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9). He possesses two unique personalities, one heavenly and one human. This is referred to as the hypostatic union. Even at the most basic level, Christ’s temptation was an acknowledgement of his human humanity. He walked, talked, matured, and was eventually executed for our sins because he was a human being first and foremost.

Wilderness preparation precedes ministry

This location of trial and preparation, which is often referred to as the wilderness in the Bible, is the desert. Many people have gone through desert experiences before being utilized by God. In order to free the people of God from their slavery in Egypt, Moses journeyed for 40 years in the wilderness (Acts 7:23-30; 1 Cor. 10:5). After being liberated, the tribe of Israel spent 40 years in the desert before entering the Promised Land (the Land of Israel) (Exodus 16:35; Acts 7:36, 42; 13:18).

For 40 days and nights, Jesus was tested in the desert (Matthew 4:1-2).

1:15-18).

An example of dependence upon the word of God

One of the most significant lessons we can learn from the passages of Scripture that deal with Christ’s temptation is that he places his faith on the words of Scripture. Considering that Jesus was (and continues to be) God in the flesh (John 1:14; Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5), he had the ability to rebuke the devil with a simple command or even a wave of his hand. As a result, Jesus withstood the temptation and scolded the wicked one, all while quoting from the Bible.

• In Matthew 4:4, Jesus responds, “But it is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” The Bible says in Matthew 4:7, “Jesus responded to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’ ” “YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.” “Then Jesus shouted to him, ‘Go, Satan!'” (Matthew 4:10, emphasis added). ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY,’ it says in the Bible.”

Jesus’ reliance on God’s word is demonstrated here, and we may learn something from this. We should imitate Christ, just as Paul did, and live according to his teachings (1 Cor. 11:1). If Jesus depended on the Scriptures to help him fight temptation, then we should do the same to help us overcome temptation.

How could Jesus be tempted if he is God?

A frequently asked topic is how Jesus could be tempted if he is God manifested in human form. The solution is straightforward. There are two forms of temptation. The first is physical temptation. A person can be presented with a temptation without actually succumbing to it. For example, sports are not something I am interested in watching. But, let’s assume I had a dinner reservation with my wife arranged a week in ahead, and a buddy gives me tickets to a major sporting event taking place on the same night.

I would much prefer spend time with my wife over supper.

Please consider the passage of Scripture below.

“They forgot His deeds in a short time; they did not wait for His advice, 14 but sought desperately in the wilderness and tempted God in the desert.

According to what we can tell from the context, the Jews worshipped their God in the wilderness. God, on the other hand, was not tempted. To put it another way, it was an outward temptation rather than an internal one.

Conclusion

I conclude that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the spirit of God to be tempted in order to demonstrate his humanity, as a preparation for his ministry, and as an example to us of how we should rely on the word of God as our source of strength, truth, and as a means by which we can resist the temptation to sin.

What were Jesus’ desert temptations and what can we learn from them?

The Gospels mention Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert wilderness during a period of 40 days of fasting, notably from food, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13, among other places. While Jesus was tempted at various points throughout His earthly life, this particular period of time focused on how He responded to temptation, both as a model for others and as a demonstration of His capacity to fight with and conquer temptation. The first temptation, according to Matthew and Luke, was one that included food.

1. As a result, Satan chose to entice Jesus by informing Him that he could transform stones into food.
2. The devil next takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, where he instructs Him to jump off.
3. Satan used an Old Testament text that read, “On their hands they will hold you up, lest you hit your foot on a stone.” Satan was referring to the passage above (Matthew 4:6).
4. Once again, Jesus drew on the book of Deuteronomy, stating, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7).
5. When Jesus was confronted with his third temptation, “the devil transported him to a very high mountain where he was shown all the kingdoms of the earth and their grandeur” (Matthew 4:8).
6. After commanding the demon to “Get out of here,” Jesus quoted Deuteronomy once more, stating, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10).
7. It is possible to draw a number of conclusions concerning the meaning and aim of Jesus’ temptation in these texts.

He was hungry, and he was struggling against temptation.

Second, Jesus showed Himself to be God the Son.

He possessed in-depth understanding of God’s Word and even had the authority to command Satan to “Go away.” Jesus was tested, yet He remained innocent, demonstrating His divine nature.

Throughout his trials, he repeated God’s Word, identified the trickery of the enemy, and underlined the importance of worshiping God.

While these passages teach us how to respond to temptations today, they also teach us how to rely on God and His Word in order to stand steadfast against Satan’s attacks on our souls.

Is it possible that Jesus committed a sin? What is the relevance of Jesus’ humanity in relation to his divinity? Is it really so significant that Jesus was baptized? What was the reason for His baptism? Is Jesus Christ the Son of God? Return to the page: The Truth About Jesus Christ.

Christ is tested in the wilderness

Christ, according to Matthew At the Jordan River, Jesus was baptized and received the Holy Spirit for the first time. The Savior was then brought “into the desert” by the Holy Spirit, according to the apostle, “where he was tempted by the devil.” Jesus fasted in the desert for forty days and forty nights. He had a strong desire to eat. “And when the tempter came to him,” Matthew remarked, as if to imply that Satan would attack at times of seclusion and bodily weakness was to be expected. What happened here is one of the most beautiful episodes recorded in the Gospels, and here is why that is the case: Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

• The devil exulted, convinced that he had effectively shut the door of Paradise behind him.
• “And I will set enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her offspring,” God said Satan in the Garden.
• 3:15).
• In this instance of temptation and at the crucifixion, Christ damaged Satan’s skull by defeating Satan’s power over mankind, thereby breaking Satan’s authority over people.
• While it was essential for the Savior to suffer and die for us, it was God’s perfect design that Satan would only bruise the tiniest bit of Christ’s flesh throughout his trial and execution.
• In the Garden, he inquired as to whether God would truly deprive them.
• The Bible says in Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live on bread alone.” Jesus used this verse.

As an alternative, Jesus would place his confidence in His heavenly Father to provide for him.

If He actually was God’s Son, he could leap from that height and angels would protect him from being hurt or killed.

Jesus in Jerusalem would have received extensive and quick notice as a result of this, without a doubt.

The devil is well-versed in the use of Scripture to seduce people.

The last temptation occurred when Satan led Christ to the top of a mountain, where he pointed out the kingdoms of the earth.

“Get thee hence, Satan,” Jesus answered in response, and then quoted from Deuteronomy 6:13 to say, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him alone must thou serve.” The devil was unsuccessful in his attempt to seduce our Lord.

“For we do not have a high priest who is immune to the feelings of our infirmities, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church, is the author of the Sunday School Lesson for this week.

Lessons from the Temptations of Jesus

Prior to beginning His public ministry, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and then endured a period of tremendous temptation in the desert before entering the city of Jerusalem. These temptations educate us about Jesus, about our adviser, and about the nature of seduction itself. The temptation of Jesus is described in detail throughout the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), but it is fascinating to note the details each writer chooses to include, omit, and emphasize. For example, Mark offers us very little information, but Matthew delves into the intricacies.

By taking a deeper look at the discrepancies, we may also gain a better understanding on each author’s intentions.

Jesus is led into the desert

Immediately after being baptized by John in the Jordan River, Jesus is brought into the desert by the apostle John. The following is what the gospel writers have to say about how Jesus ended up in the desert. Then the Spirit took Jesus into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights. He was famished after fasting for forty days and forty nights, according to Matthew 4:1–2. He was immediately dispatched into the desert by the Holy Spirit, where he remained for forty days, being tempted by Satan during that time.

• Jesus, who was brimming with the Holy Spirit, crossed the Jordan and was taken by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days and nights.
• He had not eaten anything throughout those days.
• This is a fascinating fact.
• Mark surprises us by providing so little information while still including an interesting tidbit about wild animals.
• First and foremost, it paints an image of Jesus’ loneliness and vulnerability.
• Mark, on the other hand, want to share something else with us.
• What is the reason behind this?

The significance of 40 days in the wilderness

Jewish readers would have recognized the pattern of testing that occurs prior to a period of public ministry in the book of Isaiah. As Jesus is being tested by the devil, he answers to him using passages from the Book of Deuteronomy in each temptation. Although Jesus mentions Deuteronomy 8:3 in the first temptation, the preceding verse reads as follows:Remember how the Lord your God brought you all the way through the desert for forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was on your heart, whether or not you would obey his laws (Deuteronomy 8:2).

One does not live by bread alone

By the time the tempter appears, Jesus’ body is in desperate need of nourishment. The first temptation is for Jesus to use God’s power to suit his own—very real—needs, and this is the most serious of all. In response, the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become food.” Jesus responded by saying, “The Bible says that man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:3–4; emphasis added). In response, the devil replied to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that this stone be turned into bread.” Jesus responded by saying, “It is written in the Bible that “man shall not live by food alone” (Luke 4:3–4).

He humbled you, forcing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you thatman does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord(emphasis added) (emphasis added).

What can we learn?

With each temptation, Jesus replies with a verse from the Bible. Considering how well we would fare against temptation if we had to rely on our understanding of Deuteronomy alone, much alone the entire Bible, is a difficult issue to pose to ourselves. The disciples encourage Jesus to take a break and eat something at one point in John’s Gospel, but He answers by stating, “I have food to eat that you have no idea what it is.” As a result, the disciples interpret Jesus’ words literally, asking if someone else may have given Him food.

With this temptation, Jesus demonstrates that he is more than just a religious preacher.

Whenever the situation calls for it, we frequently give in to our desire for genuine needs such as approval or love or pleasure because we place them above our desire to please God.

Do not test the Lord

Following that, the devil shifts his focus from bodily demands to Jesus’ ministry. The Lord has a long road ahead of Him as He implores Israel to pay attention to His messages, which will take time. A spectacular miracle in connection with the temple would go a long way toward convincing them that He was who He claimed to be. The devil then transported him to the sacred city, where he was forced to stand on the highest pinnacle of the temple. “”If you believe you are the Son of God,” he added, “cast yourself to the ground.” Because it says in the Bible, “‘He will order his angels concerning you, and they will pick you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot on a stone.’ The Lord said, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (5–7) (Matthew 4:5–7) The devil took him to Jerusalem and forced him to stand on the roof of the temple, which was the highest point in the city.

1. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “you are the Son of God.” “From here, you should fling yourself to the ground.
2. (See Luke 4:9–12 for further information.) A Bible student may have noticed that the temptations are presented in a different sequence in Matthew and Luke.
3. This implies that the tale is untrustworthy, does it not?
4. In reality, the text informs us that Luke has altered the original order of events.
5. The temple serves as the central focus of Luke’s Gospel.

It begins with Zechariah serving in the temple and concludes with the disciples returning to the temple to worship the one who sent them to serve him. As a result, it isn’t strange that he rearranges the temptations in order to make the temple temptation the story’s climactic moment.

What can we learn?

When it comes to placing oneself in jeopardy to test whether God would come to your rescue, there is nothing particularly appealing about it. However, if you have the ability to perform miracles, it is tempting to consider this as a shortcut to fame and celebrity. This is a precarious balancing act that Jesus performed throughout His mission. He frequently advised individuals to keep their healings to themselves and minimized miracles in order to draw people’s focus away from themselves and onto God.

“Very honestly I tell you, you are searching for me, not because you witnessed the signs I performed, but because you ate the loaves and got your fill,” Jesus says to them (John 6:26).

As a result of the vast number of people who were interested in Jesus, you might assume He would be pleased, but He was extremely deliberate in drawing those who were engaged in the message.

Our greatest intentions to subsequently redirect their focus to God are noble, but as time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to avoid falling back on gimmicks and tactics in order to attract people rather than direct their attention to God.

Anyone can use Scripture

It’s also worth noticing that Satan uses Psalm 91 as a justification for his temptation in this passage. Jesus answers with a verse from the book of Deuteronomy once more (6:16). Consequently, frequent time in God’s Word is extremely vital to us. When we learn more about something and practice it, we get greater insight and discernment, and we become more aware of when others are misusing it as a result of their ignorance or deception.

Worship the Lord and serve Him only

The third temptation (according to Matthew) is based on the desire for more power. Jesus has come to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God, but the devil is attempting to take advantage of the situation. He may easily assume control of all of the kingdoms of the globe if he merely submits to Satan’s will. The devil led him to a very high mountain once more, where he was shown all of the kingdoms of the globe in all of their magnificence. Then he said, “Will you kneel down and worship me?” “All of this I will give you,” he answered.

Because it says in the Bible, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.”” Matthew 4:8–10 is a passage on forgiveness.

And he responded to him by saying, “My power and magnificence will be transferred to you; it has been granted to me, and I have the authority to transfer it to anyone I want.

This is consistent with most of what the New Testament says about Satan’s function in the world:

• The apostle John informs us that Satan has taken possession of the world. According to 1 John 5:19, “We know for certain that we are God’s offspring and that the entire world is under the authority of the wicked one.” Jesus refers to Satan as “the ruler of this world.” Now is the time for judgment to be brought upon this world
• Now the prince of this world will be cast out,” Jesus declares in John 12:31 (also see verses 14:30 and 16:11)
• The apostle Paul refers to him as the “god of this age.” It is said, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel, which shines in the face of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

What can we learn?

The kingdom of God, according to Jesus, is as little as a mustard seed. It developed from a small, inauspicious beginning to become the world’s largest religion. If Jesus had accepted Satan’s invitation to become ruler over the kingdoms of the world, the entire process might have been completed far more quickly. As opposed to starting with a small group of followers, He may simply convert the kingdoms of the world to the Kingdom of God. He could have avoided a lot of cultural opposition if he had done so.

1. Thankfully, Jesus had a different perspective.
2. We’re frequently presented with options that allow us to reach our destination by taking a potentially risky route.
3. When confronted with this temptation, the decision is clear: either worship God or worship Satan.
4. We must ensure that we are honoring God by adhering to His rules and regulations in our daily lives.

And the angels attended Him

The devil departs once the temptations have been completed. Jesus is fatigued and hungry, and the gospels of Matthew and Mark inform us that angels have come to take care of the Lord and his followers. Luke wants us to understand that Satan has only left the stage for a little period of time. The devil then left him, and angels appeared and accompanied him (Matthew 4:11). and angels appeared and attended him (Matthew 4:11). (Mark 1:13). When the devil had done enticing him, he withdrew and waited for a suitable opportunity to strike again (Luke 4:13).

Watch the temptations from the “JESUS” film

The devil departs once the temptations have concluded. Angels have come to take care of Jesus, according to Matthew and Mark, who report that he is fatigued and hungry. In order for Luke to convey his message, Satan has just temporarily left the stage. He was then freed from the demon, and angels appeared and accompanied him (Matthew 4:11). and angels appeared and attended him (Matthew 4:11). (Mark 1:13). Having completed his luring, the devil withdrew and left him to await the right moment (Luke 4:13).

What Was the Purpose of Jesus’ Temptation

The story of Jesus’ temptation is intertwined with the story of His baptism that came earlier in the chapter. The word “God’s Son” refers to the special relationship between His baptism and temptation, and it is used to express this connection. In the moments following Jesus’ baptism, the other two members of the Trinity announce that Jesus is the “Son of God.” In this situation, the question arises, “Will He remain committed to His calling, especially in these trying circumstances?” There are at least five reasons why Jesus was tempted, according to the Bible.

The temptations served as a demonstration of His actual humanity.

This ability to be challenged demonstrated to the disciples that Jesus was truly human.

It Serves As a Model for Us It is a component of His teachings and example to us.

3.

The temptation was a component of His own personal discipline, which He overcame.

Throughout Jesus’ earthly existence, he cried out in loud screams and tears to the one who could save him from death, and his pleas and petitions were heard because of his profound surrender to the will of God.

4.

It aided Him in His role as a sympathetic intercessor.

Jesus was tempted in the same way that humans are, and as a result, he can empathize with humanity.

It Is a Component of the Great Power Conflict It was a part of the epic war in which the “seed of woman” was tasked with “bruising the head of the serpent,” as the saying goes.

SynopsisJesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

First and foremost, they revealed His humanity, since only human beings are capable of being tempted.

We are to respond to temptations in the same way that He did, according to the Scriptures.

This also formed an important aspect of Jesus’ own personal discipleship. As a result of the temptations, He was able to empathize with us when we are under duress. At the end of the day, the temptations were a part of the great fight that the Bible refers to.