THE TEMPTATIONS OF CHRIST

We all know the story of how Jesus fasted for forty days, and when tempted by Satan, He withstood him by quoting the Word of God; for the Scriptures tell us that following John's baptizing of Jesus, when He was about thirty years old (Lk. 3:21-23), the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted (tested) by the devil (Mt. 4:1-11; Mk. 1:12-13; Lk. 4:1-13).  But today, while studying for this post, I came across something I had not noticed before.  Luke's Gospel says, "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season."  In other words, that was just one of many trials Jesus would face.  His whole life, as a human being, must have been filled with temptations!  In addition to Satan, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes tried His patience, as did His disciples.  There are also hints that His own family doubted Him (Mt. 13:57; Mk. 6:4; Jn. 7:5).  And, just prior to His Crucifixion, Jesus confirmed this by saying, "Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations" (Lk. 22:28).     

So why did God lead Him to be tempted?  I believe God wanted to demonstrate that Jesus, while being fully God, was also fully human.  His divine nature could not be tempted (Jam. 1:13), but His human nature could be, and was.  Again, why?  Because, if Jesus was to become our advocate for us before His Father's throne, He had to have a personal understanding of the power of temptation from our perspective.  The writer of the Book of Hebrews wrote: 

"For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb.2:16-18).  Again, he wrote, "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" (Heb. 4:15).

Jesus understands.  Even on the Cross, Jesus was able to understand those who were torturing Him. That is why He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Lk. 23:34).  As God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), He is Omniscient, and therefore knows we are weak, but as the Son of Man, He knows with what we struggle from human experience!

Thank You, Jesus, for becoming like us, so that we could, one day, become like You!

(Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Jn. 3:2)!