Did you notice that Jesus was "led by the Spirit" in order to be tempted? You mean, that was the purpose? That was the reason? Did Jesus know about this purpose? He had just received such beautiful confirmation from God Himself ... and now this? He was fasting ... he was in a desolate region. I think the battle with temptation went on the full 40 days and nights. Jesus was in intense spiritual warfare. But why was this necessary?
I think we get a clue when we look into the word "tempted". It is the Greek word peirazo. To better understand the word in this context, read the full definition according to James Strong: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:
1 to try whether a thing can be done. 1a to attempt, endeavour. 2 to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself. 2a in a good sense. 2b in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments. 2c to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin. 2c1 to solicit to sin, to tempt. 1c1a of the temptations of the devil.
This was temptation in the 'good' sense of the word ... not enticing to sin ... but proving the purity of a thing - testing to see if there was a flaw, a breaking point, a weakness. That's why the Spirit led Jesus into the "desert to be tempted" ... it was a time of testing before the actual work of redemption was to begin.
So, as we read these specific temptations that were hurled against Jesus ... let's look to the core of them so that we can identify ways that the "tempter" seduces us away from God.
1. The temptation to turn stones into bread. I see a temptation to use ones powers selfishly and for their own use. "There will always be a temptation to use selfishly the gifts which God has given us." (Barclay) Jesus would not yield to gratify his physical hunger when he knew that it is spiritual hunger for God that truly fills us and satisfies. No short cuts ...
2. The second specific attempt to break Jesus was a vision where the tempter took Jesus to a pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem. I can see all sorts of ways to rationalize this temptation and turn it into a good thing! After all, it would prove scripture true, right? Or ... the wonder of it would impress people and convince them of Jesus' power, right? However, Jesus, in his wisdom, knew that "wonders" are always short lived. Sensationalism never lasts. Barclay says, "God expects us to take risks in order to be true to him, but he does not expect us to take risks to enhance our own prestige." Can you see the temptation to bring all attention and glory to himself? And Jesus was never about glory for himself ...
3. So the third avenue of attack was the lure of saving the world. After all, wasn't that his purpose in coming to earth in the first place? All that was required was one tiny place of compromise and the world would be his ... at his feet. However, Jesus knew that on the point of sovereignty, on the point of whom to worship ... there could be no compromise. Besides, he didn't come to save the kingdoms of this world ... he came to save humanity.
What do we learn for our lives today and tomorrow? Beware being so consumed with your physical appetites and needs that you bypass the spiritual needs of your soul. Beware sensationalism. Don't use it as a manipulative tool ... and be careful, when you see it, to assume that it must be from God because it is big and splashy. Beware compromising when it involves the person of God. It is Him we serve ... and Him only.
So when temptation faces you, when you find yourself in a "desert" of sorts and are hungry and needy, remember as of primary importance the words of James ... and turn them into your prayer ...
Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you ... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will life you up." (James 4: 7 - 8, 10)
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