I think the biggest temptation Jesus had was not to allow himself to take the opportunity to be King of Israel or the world at that time.
That was the last temptation that the devil set before him in the wilderness. All these kindoms will I give unto thee if thou will bow down to worship me.
Even his disciples were seeking a Messiah to take back the kingdom at that time. If Jesus wanted to he could of had thousands upon thousands stand on his side.
I believe the kings which came from the east to honor him at his birth would of given him their armies to come against Rome.
It would of been the battle of armegheddon in that day.
And he knew he would win.
But Jesus stuck to his mission. He came to save the hearts of man and not the land that God had given them.
The flesh is temporary but the spirit is eternal, and his kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom that no man could take away.
People sell their soul to the devil for much lesser things than these. Fame, fortune, prestige, honor.
All these things the devil would give him if he only bowed to him.
And Jesus said no. I come to do the will of my Father.
And because he humbled himself, and made of himself no reputation...
Phl 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Phl 2:6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Phl 2:7
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phl 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phl 2:9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phl 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
things in heaven, and
things in earth, and
things under the earth;
Phl 2:11
And
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Satan thought he could give Jesus something that he couldn't recieve himself.
But Satan, maybe he didn't know who Christ was, the devils knew, that the Father had already given everything into his hand.
He believed in the promise his Father made, that if he lay down his life for the world, he would be able to take it up again.
And he also knew within himself that this was true, for it was for him and by him and through him that everything was made that was made, visible and invisible.
And I was thinking about another thread, Why didn't God remove Satan from the beginning?
Because Jesus the man had to be tempted as we are, so that through all temptations he could sympathise and console others who would go through the same trials.
1Co 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
it.
Heb 4:15
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.
I believe the biggest temptation man faces is the same temptation that Adam and Eve faced.
1Jo 2:16
For all that
is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Jesus defeated all these after walking through the wilderness for forty days and forty nights without food or water.
Some men sell their souls for a little red pottage.
Heb 12:16
Lest there
be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Some men sell their souls for vanity and riches.
Ecc 2:17
Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun
is grievous unto me: for all
is vanity and vexation of spirit.
And some men sell their souls to rule the world. Pharaoh, Nebuchednezzar, Nimrod, Adam.
And we have trouble with drugs, pornography, new cars and toys, nice homes, delicate foods.
Positions of authority like President, Senator, Movie stars, Great scientists...
Everybody wants to be somebody more than what they already are.
But Jesus was content with who he was, and all these things were added unto him.
Mat 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Dan 4:34
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion
is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom
is from generation to generation:
Dan 4:35
And all the inhabitants of the earth
are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Dan 4:36
At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Dan 4:37
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works
are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way. But in the end, he found the right path.
Mat 7:14
Because strait
is the gate, and narrow
is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Just thinking..
Hugs
