Day 33~ The Temptation of Jesus

Today I want us to look at two passages; both speak of the same scenario, however, each fills holes in the other, so to speak.

So, let's look at Matthew chapter 4 and Luke chapter 4. We'll be alternating between these passages which are both entitled, The Temptation of Jesus.

So After Jesus was baptised, the book of Matthew tells us that the Spirit led him to the desert to be tempted. 

You may think at this point 'Why would the Spirit lead him to be tempted, I thought the spirit was suppose to do the opposite.'

Well, not exactly. The Bible doesn't say that we wouldn't be tempted but that God will keep the temptation from becoming too strong and that he would provide a way out of temptations, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

So, Jesus went without food for forty days and forty nights and the Devil, seeing that he had this part that needed filling, tried to tempt him.

So the devil said, "If you are God's son, order this stone to turn into bread."
Jesus replied, "The scripture says, 'Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.'"

It's  important to note at this point, that in order to combat temptation Jesus used scriptures. 
Why did he use scriptures? Because what the Devil says are all lies but what the scriptures say are all true, so if what the voices you're hearing aren't telling you the same things that the scriptures are saying then that voice is coming from the enemy!

Now, Jesus was hungry, yes, and he could have turned the stone into bread, however, he had made a commitment and he stuck out with it.
You see, the Devil tries to make us break our commitments. He wants us to break our vows and not accomplish our destiny, but Jesus was not fooled.

Then the Devil tried to tempt him a second time. He took Jesus to Jeruselem and set him on the highest point of the temple and said, " If you are God's son, throw yourself down, for the Scripture says, 'God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones'"

"Jesus answered, "But the scripture also says, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

This temptation is especially interesting since the Devil himself quotes scripture. 

Ever had a temptation where it seemed as if it was coherent with the scriptures but really it was another of the Devil's attempts to hurt you? 

Yes, well even Jesus went through the same thing but again, his words were mixed with lies and evil intent and Jesus saw right through him.

On another note, it is important to remember that if the thing the devil tempts you with leaves you feeling embarrassed and guilty, it's wrong, no matter what lies he tells you.

Then the Devil tried to tempt him a third time, Luke 4:5-7 states; "Then the Devil took him up and showed him in a second all the kingdoms of the world. "I will give you all this power and wealth," the Devil told him. "It has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose. All this will be yours, then, if you worship me." 
"Jesus answered, "Go away Satan! The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!"

After that the Devil left Jesus and the angels came and helped him.

This last temptation showed the Devil's intention in testing Jesus. The Devil didn't know who Jesus was. He wanted Jesus to give him clues, so he pulled this card out, if Jesus fell for this one he'd know for sure that he wasn't God's son because only humans are tempted by such fleeting things as fame and wealth. Little did the Devil know that all the world already belonged to Jesus; the son of God. Thus Jesus passed his tests.

You may say 'But Jesus is God's son, why did he have to be tested.'
Yes, Jesus is God's son but for that time he was also a human, and as humans we are all placed under these conditions. We are all subjected to a world full of lies, temptations and corruption but one thing we can now be grateful for is that God loved us so much that he sent his son to make things better for us.

Before Jesus died for us, we couldn't even imagine that an all powerful being like God would want to have a relationship with sinners like us, but Jesus became the bridge connecting us to the Father and now we can rejoice knowing that the Devil may scheme but Jesus will redeem. 

We can also rejoice knowing that Jesus went through all the things that we go through and he overcame it!