THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS

Newsletter 186 - March 26, 2010

Bob Mills

Luke 4:1-13
(King James Version)

Some use James 1:13 as a “proof text,” saying that Jesus could not be tempted because he is the Son of God and part of God, ignoring that this is a part of his sacrifice when he came to earth to be born of Mary and take on a human body. The only way to provide an acceptable sacrificial death was that he must use his own sinless body for that that final blood sacrifice.

This is affirmed by Hebrews 4:15. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Having a human body, he could be tempted, but did not sin. This period of temptation continued for forty long days during which he had no food. That, in itself, would weaken most men to death. His body would have been crying for food when Satan suggested that he use his power to turn the stones, scattered everywhere, into bread. He never used his powers for his own benefit to gain an easy life. He came to be a sacrifice.

THESE WERE REAL TEMPTATIONS IN EVERY WAY

And without doubt there were more than these listed in our text and continuing on even through the crucifixion. Remember his agony as he prayed in Gethsemane just before his arrest; recall how he ended with the words, “Not my will but thine be done.“. (Luke 22:42). Then he was taunted on the cross, “If he is the Son of God, let him come down.“ He even refused a little wine to relieve his agony and thirst.

Luke 4

1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 3:3)

TO USE HIS POWERS FOR HIMSELF

2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:6)

3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

TO COMPROMISE HIS PURPOSE

5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (Matthew 4:8-19, Matthew 24:14)

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (1 John 5:19)

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 10:20, Matthew 4:10)

TO GAIN INSTANT POPULARITY

9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: (Matthew 4:5-7)

10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: (Psalm 91:11)

11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12)

12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 6:16)

13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season

SATAN LEFT FOR A SEASON
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