Isn’t it interesting how our own discipleship often follows a similar path to the one our Lord Jesus walked? For example, we may not be called to walk through the wilderness for 40 days, but whom of us hasn’t been tempted? And the timing of this is perfect to, because it’s just after Jesus’ baptism took place, the Spirit came like a dove to rest upon Him, and God’s voice thundered down from heaven proclaiming His Birthright.
So a massive ‘mountaintop’ experience, followed by massive temptation….yeah, that sounds about right, doesn’t it?
What I find really interesting in this verse, is that it says the Spirit actually led Jesus towards temptation. When I think of being led by the Spirit, I’m usually expecting to go the other direction! Why would the Spirit lead Him towards temptation just after the amazing event at His baptism?
Could it be that He needed to be humbled? The Lamb of God? No, that seems hard to believe, doesn’t it? Maybe because He needed to flex His proverbial muscle by shutting down Satan? That doesn’t sound right to me, either…
I believe a big part of this was about us (just like everything else He did). Had He just had this amazing baptism, and then gone on and told people the Good News about His kingdom, it still would have been awesome, but we would have missed out on something critically important.
We are shown a beautiful example of how to deal with the temptations that come in our lives.
So are you ready to learn more about this? I hope you are, because it’s time to play – NAME THAT TEMPTATION!
Temptation #1:
After fasting forty days and forty nights, Jesus was really hungry, and Satan tempts Him to make the stones into bread.
NAME THAT TEMPTATION!
Did you say Self-Reliance? CORRECT! Jesus could have just given in and made himself a nice sandwich out there with some rocks (and maybe some nice cactus). We can’t do that, but we can try and fight our way through our lives, living each day under our own power, instead of reaching out and relying on the Father.
How do we fight this temptation?
Using Scripture, Jesus shows that we must rely on God for all our needs.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”
Are you ready for round 2?
Temptation #2:
Satan tells Jesus to throw Himself off a high peak to prove that God will send angels to save Him.
NAME THAT TEMPATION! Did you say Trust? CORRECT! Jesus could have not trusted in God and try to test Him. Maybe done a nice swan dive... watching the angels throw themselves under Him, moving faster than a group of college kids going after the last slice of pizza. We can’t do that (well, it would be a really bad idea), but we can try and test God by making ridiculous ‘bargains’ like “God if you just let me get out of this speeding ticket that I totally deserve"....and then getting mad when He "doesn't come through"....
How do we fight this temptation?
Using Scripture, Jesus shows that we should never try to test God’s faithfulness
“Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Bonus round! Are you ready for round 3?
Temptation #3
Satan tempts Jesus to rule this world with him.
NAME THAT TEMPTATION! Did you say Eddie Kendricks? NO (Although he was one of the Temptations, and they ruled Motown for a while... but that’s not what I’m talking about here)!
The correct answer is Pride! Jesus could have taken the bait and been 'large and in charge' on this earth, instead of humbling Himself as a servant to a bunch of thick-headed rubes that can’t take a hint, and then giving Himself over to be brutally murdered. We can’t do that, but we can get inflated with our own unrealistic sense of self-worth.
How do we fight this temptation? (and just to be clear, I’m referring to fighting Pride, not singing in a Motown group – if you are tempted to do that, I can’t help you.)
Using Scripture, Jesus shows that serving God is better than ruling all the world (for what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his own soul?)
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
Tell them what they won, Johnny!
Well, Chip, since God is all about grace, we are going to forget that Motown reference and still offer our Grand Prize! You and all the fruit you bear get a one-way ticket to Paradise!
And did you notice the common theme here - Jesus used Scripture in every instance. Fighting Satan with lesser weapons is a dangerous undertaking - I'll take the Word of Truth that is sharper than any sword!
So don't give in to temptation (unless it's a Motown R&B group - you can listen to that - but don't think you're one of them - that's weird....)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)