Last time I had been pondering how
Jesus could truly relate to the things I go through. The first fact I know
about Jesus is that He is not only totally God but that He is also totally
human. Being totally human, He experienced ALL of the things a human
experiences, while he was on this earth. The only difference between Jesus and
me is He NEVER sinned!
Today we will look at Jesus’ first
temptation in the wilderness. I hope you can see once again how Jesus feels and
knows exactly what you are dealing with when any sort of temptation is set in
front of you.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not
have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who
in every respect has been tempted as
we are, yet without sin. (ESV)
After Jesus was baptized, by John the
Baptist, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.
Before Satan came to Him, Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness.
During which time He fasted. Usually when the Bible talks about fasting it is
in conjunction with prayer and preparation for a major event to come. This is
so the person or persons involved are prepared, mentally and spiritually for
the event. I believe this was no exception.
Jesus’ temptation is the first place
that I have truly been able to see how Jesus understands what we go through.
Several years ago (we won’t say HOW long ago….ehhem, my children weren’t in
school yet….hehehe) Kris Minefee was my pastor and dear friend. I remember Kris
preaching on this very subject one time. I believe that was when the humanness
of Jesus became real to me, and I truly felt He understood how I feel when life
is not perfect.
Kris talked about how Jesus’ temptations touched
the 3 parts of human beings, our mind, body and soul. Because it has been so
long ago, I also did some research on this subject and found some commentaries
and blogs on the subject, to help refresh my memory.
1. Body-Jesus Knows Our
Physical Needs
As Jesus is in the wilderness after 40 days of
fasting, both Matthew and Luke are clear to point out that He was hungry. So
when Satan appears to Him, Satan appeals to what he thinks Jesus would fall for
the easiest. I mean wouldn’t you? Satan knows that humans give in to the
“desires of the flesh” or the BODY probably before the other two (Mind or
Soul). Think about this, Jesus is tempted with the one thing that He actually
needs, nourishment! He has been in the desert for 40 days and nights with
nothing to eat! Remember, He is living in a human body. That body gets weak,
and tired. It needs the vitamins, nourishment and strength that a good meal
would give it. So when Satan tempts Jesus with that ONE thing, what does He do?
Jesus realizes just like we have to, that this is nothing but a lust of the
flesh. If Jesus gives in to Satan, He would be selling his birthright just like
Esau did, for food. Wow! How many times do I sellout for something as temporary
as food, a temporary pleasure, a little white lie, a prideful feeling, or so
many other fleshly lusts? Instead, Jesus looks at Satan and quotes, Deuteronomy
8:3.
Matthew 4:4 …4“‘Man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of
God.’”(ESV)
In Deuteronomy, Moses
is reminding the people of Israel of the 40 years they wandered in the
wilderness and how they had a physical need, hunger, and God used supernatural
means to provide for them. He supplied manna from heaven.
Deuteronomy 8:3 3And he
humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know,
nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live
by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the
LORD.(ESV)
Jesus knew that God
could and would provide for His physical need if He relied on God. The same
thing goes for me, if I am faithful to God, and rely on Him, He will provide
for me.
By the first temptation
of Jesus I have learned two powerful things.
1. Jesus totally gets
what it feels like to live in a human body!
2. When I resist
temptation by relying on God, He WILL provide for me!
Living in Grace,
Angie
Temptation of Jesus: Links
to the commentaries and blogs I used-
This one you will have
to scroll down to the 5 blogs titled Temptation of Jesus Part I- Temptation of
Jesus Part V
SO true! Resisting temptation is as simple -- and as difficult -- as consciously relying on God to meet our needs.
ReplyDeleteWell put, Angie!