Jesus in the wilderness
The temptation of the Lord in Matthew 4 has long been a thoroughly discussed passage of scripture. In my household I recall my parents and grandparents often discussing the circumstances surrounding this intriguing event. Although, in hindsight, I see how far removed these conversations were compared to the real purpose of the Lords experience, and there meaning.The Lords temptation occurred straight after his baptism and would be a continual experience all his life. In many ways you could say his whole life was one temptation Luke 22:28. To me his life declares total dedication and reliance on His Fathers Word; to trust in its power, and to overcome the desires of his flesh. Because he was - Heb 4:15-16 - we are now able to be in him “constantly” through baptism Luke 12:50. A great blessing Acts 3:26.
The example of Gods continual support of His Son, through all his temptations (many more than recorded) is comforting. He provides us with assurance that Jesus will also stay constantly with us, through ours.
In Matt 4 we will find our humanity, in all its weaknesses, however by contrast, we can appreciate the divine attributes of true discipleship, the use of Gods Power and how He is victorious in temptation.
Heb 4:15-16
Heb 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. Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The above verses teach us the Lords experience was all encompassing with regard to the nature of flesh and blood, and all its propensities. In every respect he was comprehensively tried and tested yet without sin. And now we have an active High Priest who is able to perform his duties with total compassion understanding our all our weaknesses. However, Jesus never experienced the emotional & physical pain of sin. For this we can be most pleased as the Apostle exclaimed in Heb 7:26.
On a personal note when speaking of temptation we must speak from experience.
Temptation for me is a "feeling", an overwhelming impulse which you often know can easily end in sin. The Temptation itself is not sin (James 1:14) but to contemplate or encourage it, is. Often we find ourselves playing with temptation and this as we know can be deadly. From Matt 4 and other passages we know the Lord felt these same impulses and suffered deeply by them.
It may do us well to consider what might some of the Lords temptation be and how did they affect him during his walk.
I would say he would consider his mortal weakness. If we read the Messianic Psalm 22:14-17 this speaks to a Lord who felt the weakness of his frail body. If we consider how much responsibility was upon his shoulders Isaiah 53:6 compared with Heb 9:16 we know our very transgressions were upon him. Meaning the forgiveness of our sins became his responsibility. This is duanting when we consider I was not known to the Lord when he lived his life! Yet he suffered the burden of my sins.
His Father demanded absolute perfection and temptation was the continual distraction from his purpose. There were times when Jesus was very low; some have considered him to be depressed because very few would listen to his message. The continual assault of the “vipers” those Pharisees who plotted and planned for his death.
Jesus Christ also experienced heavy grief, the kind we cannot imagine. It was within this grief that he felt the overwhelming desire to pray to his Father – if you can visualise having a will to not go to the cross, but compelled to pray to an opposite Will to be followed, it’s not a wonder his sweat were as drops of blood.
We could also mention his loneliness and the looming death which hung over his life from a very young age. How would he endure all the insults of the day and what about the next day and so on.
And finally and quite possibly the most feared of all temptations which few people consider. His separation from his Father if only three days see Jesus last words Psalm 31:5.
Matt 4 to be continued...