The obedience test for Jesus’ sign of commitment
Why was Jesus immediately tested after performing his symbolic gesture of baptism as his commitment to his Father to die for mankind’s’ sins?
Static words and thoughts and gestures communicating true commitment and faith are empty without true action. Pure demonstrations of commitment to the cause is the true test and reveals the truth of the matter.
Even as any true human believer in God will undergo, to a much lesser extent, testing, Jesus was especially placed on a severe trial to test his commitment of obedience to his Father and his own desire to ultimately sacrifice his life both for the Father’s and our sake.
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism the appropriate amount (fullness, completeness) of power from his Father was given to Jesus, his son (Matt 3:16) (Luke 4:1). Jesus never had this power before this time, and no human since Jesus ever was gifted with it.
Upon travelling Northward to Galilee, the spirit of his Father suddenly diverted him to the barren lands. His Father commanded him to Fast for 40 days and nights. (Matt 4:1-2) (Mark 1:12-13)
Jesus, now sharing some of the power of his Father (Matt 3:16) (Luke 4:1) humbled himself and was obedient to his Father. Jesus never took advantage of his newly found power as he was not given authority to use it without his Father’s permission. It was given later for his use, incrementally during his mission.
As Noah was prepared for years before and then purified and tested during the 40 days and 40 nights at sea, so to was Jesus in the barren desert.
Just as Israel was prepared many years before in Egypt and then purified and tested for 40 years in the desert, to the promised land, so too was Jesus prepared for his youth and then tested at maturity for his road to eternal life.
The first Adam was prepared for years and then tested with his wife. They failed as did the Israelites later. Jesus did not fail his test of obedience to his creator and Father. Jesus laid his own will and set his own desires aside and allowed his Father to work inside of him.
After the 40 days were over, even though Jesus possessed the power of his Father (Matt 3:16) (Luke 4:1) he was at his weakest point and his reliance and obedience to his Father’s will was at its greatest point. It is recorded that Jesus was tested in three categories as a human being.
1. Physical lust – I CAN PLEASE MYSELF (Matt 4:3-4) (Deuteronomy 8:3): Jesus could have stolen his Father’s power to turn stones into bread. Jesus did not take advantage of his Father’s power to quench his physical lust. Jesus was obedient during his temptation. The Father’s manna for the spiritual life took precedence over physical food for the physical life.
2. The pride and power of being like a god – I HAVE THE POWER (Matt 4:5-7) (Psalms 91:11-12) (Deuteronomy 6:16): Jesus, the last Adam, never wanted to be like a god, independent of his Father and his will. He knew who he was already, the son of man and of God. He knew all his power was his Father’s. Jesus never wanted to use his own will and steal his Father’s power for selfish pride. The first Adam thought he could gain his own power and become like a god, in Eden. Jesus was obedient during his temptation.
3. Lust of material gain and treasures – I WANT IT and I CAN HAVE IT (Matt 4:8-10) (Deuteronomy 6:13): Jesus could have stolen his Father’s power to become a king to rule all the kingdoms and tribes of the earth. He did not. His power to perform supernatural things and with deep knowledge and wisdom was borrowed from his Father. Jesus was obedient during his temptation.
Jesus allowed his will to be as his Father’s will in humility and obedience and love (John 10:30). Jesus conquered evil, and showed he was worthy to be our Messiah and the true son of God.
After his test the Father’s angels provided the necessary assistance and I would gather motivation to Jesus (Matt 4:11). I would also gather they were with him throughout his mission.
Jesus, now fully prepared, committed, empowered and guided by his Father, fully tested, officially began his quest and mission to the cross as our savior - to do his Father’s work and his will and not his own (John 10:36-37).
His Father willed that his son Jesus shall be born and become the plan or form for the salvation of mankind, and Jesus agreed as he passed the test! (John 1:14)
I believe this critical area of Jesus' life is generally overlooked and taken for granted..
What say ye?
Bless you,
APAK
Why was Jesus immediately tested after performing his symbolic gesture of baptism as his commitment to his Father to die for mankind’s’ sins?
Static words and thoughts and gestures communicating true commitment and faith are empty without true action. Pure demonstrations of commitment to the cause is the true test and reveals the truth of the matter.
Even as any true human believer in God will undergo, to a much lesser extent, testing, Jesus was especially placed on a severe trial to test his commitment of obedience to his Father and his own desire to ultimately sacrifice his life both for the Father’s and our sake.
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism the appropriate amount (fullness, completeness) of power from his Father was given to Jesus, his son (Matt 3:16) (Luke 4:1). Jesus never had this power before this time, and no human since Jesus ever was gifted with it.
Upon travelling Northward to Galilee, the spirit of his Father suddenly diverted him to the barren lands. His Father commanded him to Fast for 40 days and nights. (Matt 4:1-2) (Mark 1:12-13)
Jesus, now sharing some of the power of his Father (Matt 3:16) (Luke 4:1) humbled himself and was obedient to his Father. Jesus never took advantage of his newly found power as he was not given authority to use it without his Father’s permission. It was given later for his use, incrementally during his mission.
As Noah was prepared for years before and then purified and tested during the 40 days and 40 nights at sea, so to was Jesus in the barren desert.
Just as Israel was prepared many years before in Egypt and then purified and tested for 40 years in the desert, to the promised land, so too was Jesus prepared for his youth and then tested at maturity for his road to eternal life.
The first Adam was prepared for years and then tested with his wife. They failed as did the Israelites later. Jesus did not fail his test of obedience to his creator and Father. Jesus laid his own will and set his own desires aside and allowed his Father to work inside of him.
After the 40 days were over, even though Jesus possessed the power of his Father (Matt 3:16) (Luke 4:1) he was at his weakest point and his reliance and obedience to his Father’s will was at its greatest point. It is recorded that Jesus was tested in three categories as a human being.
1. Physical lust – I CAN PLEASE MYSELF (Matt 4:3-4) (Deuteronomy 8:3): Jesus could have stolen his Father’s power to turn stones into bread. Jesus did not take advantage of his Father’s power to quench his physical lust. Jesus was obedient during his temptation. The Father’s manna for the spiritual life took precedence over physical food for the physical life.
2. The pride and power of being like a god – I HAVE THE POWER (Matt 4:5-7) (Psalms 91:11-12) (Deuteronomy 6:16): Jesus, the last Adam, never wanted to be like a god, independent of his Father and his will. He knew who he was already, the son of man and of God. He knew all his power was his Father’s. Jesus never wanted to use his own will and steal his Father’s power for selfish pride. The first Adam thought he could gain his own power and become like a god, in Eden. Jesus was obedient during his temptation.
3. Lust of material gain and treasures – I WANT IT and I CAN HAVE IT (Matt 4:8-10) (Deuteronomy 6:13): Jesus could have stolen his Father’s power to become a king to rule all the kingdoms and tribes of the earth. He did not. His power to perform supernatural things and with deep knowledge and wisdom was borrowed from his Father. Jesus was obedient during his temptation.
Jesus allowed his will to be as his Father’s will in humility and obedience and love (John 10:30). Jesus conquered evil, and showed he was worthy to be our Messiah and the true son of God.
After his test the Father’s angels provided the necessary assistance and I would gather motivation to Jesus (Matt 4:11). I would also gather they were with him throughout his mission.
Jesus, now fully prepared, committed, empowered and guided by his Father, fully tested, officially began his quest and mission to the cross as our savior - to do his Father’s work and his will and not his own (John 10:36-37).
His Father willed that his son Jesus shall be born and become the plan or form for the salvation of mankind, and Jesus agreed as he passed the test! (John 1:14)
I believe this critical area of Jesus' life is generally overlooked and taken for granted..
What say ye?
Bless you,
APAK
