Meeting Jesus - The Word & Temptation
Some people believe Jesus is a republican, a democrat, or an independent. Some people believe that Jesus is like a Genie in a bottle–if you rub the lamp through prayer, you get whatever you want. Still, some view Jesus like a Mascot the church rallies around once a week.Over this next year, we are going to seek to understand who Jesus really was,what he was really like, and how you and I can become more like Him.
Luke 4:1-13
1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’” 5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” 13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
The Devil saw this as an opportunity to stop the ministry of Jesus before it even started. This was a no-holds barred attack on the character of the Son of God.
JESUS EXPERIENCED TWISTED TEMPTATION
When God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and they wandered in the desert for 40 years…and the Israelites and their animals were thirsty, Moses hit a rock with a stick and water came pouring out. Every single morning, so they didn’t go hungry, God gave the Israelites food they called, “Manna”.
The temptation that Jesus faced was twisted – it was reminiscent of how God had worked in the past among the Jewish people.
Then the devil resorted to using scripture. “For the scriptures say – “God will protect you.” So jump off this cliff and you will float safely to the ground.” Jesus knew God was going to raise him from the dead – but not this way and not this time.
This entire attack of temptation was twisted and manipulative. And if somebody has manipulated you with partial truths, I am sorry. That is the worst kind of hurt because you trusted them, and they manipulated you.
But make no mistake about it – Jesus WAS tempted to sin! If Jesus did not have a desire to DO these things – then Jesus wasn’t really tempted.
As LORD and GOD – Jesus never knew what it was like to hunger – he was always satisfied. He never got hangry. When the devil tempted Jesus – a full stomach must have appealed to him.
And, Jesus knew what it was like to have AUTHORITY. All things were created through Him. Authority and power in this world was a temptation for Jesus because he Knew what it was like to have power and control.
Jesus was tempted by these things because he remembered what it was like to never be hungry, have ultimate authority, and never be in danger.
JESUS OVERCAME TEMPTATION THROUGH TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD
Jesus overcame the temptation to live selfishly and live for his own pleasure through the truth of God’s Word, and…
YOU CAN TOO
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Sometimes I convince myself that every other follower of Jesus has it together and I am the only one that struggles with the temptation to sin. I know others struggle with temptation to sin – but I sometimes convince myself that others don’t struggle like I DO.
I remember many times sitting in church and thinking, “They read their bibles every day, they don’t struggle like me…Something must be wrong with me…”
Have you ever felt like that?
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man.
Man, woman, or child, temptation is something we all experience.
Memories of experiences that appealed to us in the past, can stir up temptation in our present and future. If we liked it in the past, our flesh tells us we will like it again. We may have messed up in the past – but we know if we give into those pleasures in the future, it could damage those around us, and hinder our relationship with God.
THE DEVIL STILL WANTS TO DEVOUR YOU
1 Peter 5:8
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.