The Temptation of Jesus
Introduction: Matthew and Luke provide the most detail about the temptation of Christ, with some variation between them. There are a few interesting viewpoints that can be gleaned from the brief mention of the temptation in the gospel of Mark, while John does not record the temptation in his gospel. This brief study is intended to highlight some points that may then stimulate prayer about these temptations and how they may relate to our own lives.
NOTE: Bible passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Jesus Was Led into the Wilderness by the Spirit
Matthew 4 “1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.”
Mark 1 “12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.”
Comments: From previous verses in all three of these gospels, we know that when Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit of God came upon him in the visible form of a dove, and the voice from heaven declared him to be “my Son” — thus involving all three persons of the Godhead. All three passages above state that Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. Luke tells us that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit, and that he fasted for forty days and forty nights, and was hungry afterward. Mark tells us Jesus was with the wild animals in the wilderness, and the angels were serving him.
B — Satan Wanted Jesus to Miraculously Satisfy His Own Physical Hunger
Matthew 4 “3 The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ 4 But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”’”
Comments: Satan was aware that Jesus was in the wilderness fasting, and he used it as an opportunity to attempt to defeat the purpose of God in Christ. Jesus had chosen to set aside his ability to satisfy his own hunger so he would place full reliance on God the Father for this physical need. This is an example in his life as the last Adam, to perfectly fulfill the law as our representative, and to live out in the flesh the things he later taught for those who follow him by faith. Our dependence therefore must be on the Lord for everything in this life, and we must trust him for the everlasting life to come.
C — Satan Quoted a Passage from Scripture and Asked Jesus to Prove It
Matthew 4 “5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will put his angels in charge of you” and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.”’ 7 Jesus said to him, ‘Again, it is written, “You shall not test the Lord, your God.”’”
Comments: Now we see power demonstrated by Satan as he somehow moved Jesus from the wilderness to Jerusalem, and set him upon the highest point of the temple for the purpose of using scripture as a temptation. Satan did not threaten to throw Jesus off of the temple, but asked him to voluntarily jump off to prove that he is the Son of God. Since Jesus used another scripture to refute the purpose Satan had, we should be careful to compare scriptures especially when we believe there may be a deceptive intent by the one quoting scripture. Complete faith in God does not need to test him to see if his Word is true.
D — Satan Offered Jesus All Worldly Treasure in Exchange for Worship
Matthew 4 “8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9 He said to him, ‘I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.”’”
Comments: Here is another example of unusual power possessed by Satan as he took Jesus to an extremely high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory in a moment of time. In Luke's account we are told that Satan said those things had been delivered to him — things Satan cannot claim by his own authority, and as the deceiver, there is no reason to trust his ability to give them to anyone in any lasting manner. Jesus answered Satan, and provided the answer that we must hold in our heart: worship belongs only to the true and living God. Desiring those things that are only of the world should never be more important to us than our desire to first seek the kingdom of God.
E — The Devil Left Jesus
Matthew 4 “11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.”
Hebrews 4 “14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.”
Comments: When Satan had completed his temptations without success, he left Jesus, and angels came to minister to him. Luke says Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. Jesus became our faithful and enduring high priest who was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. We must be very careful not to rely on our own resources to escape temptation that is beyond our strength, but to put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I now have so much more to take into my thoughts about the wonder of your great love that you demonstrated as you came to live among us in the flesh. You placed yourself in the wilderness with a long period of fasting, and allowed the affront of Satan as he used a representative group of temptations in an attempt to destroy the saving work you came to complete for everyone who will worship you alone. Help me, Lord, to use those three temptations as a memory mechanism to be watchful for any of these areas that will bring temptation before me. You are the Bread of Life as the Living Word, and without you all food for the body has only temporary worth. I also trust your Word that the greatest treasures that could be obtained in the world cannot compare with the everlasting life you have promised to me because I have accepted that gift in Christ. I want to praise you with my whole heart, my Savior and my God! Amen.
Published 12 February 2014