~ 3 Events in the Life of Christ Where
He Fought Alone On Our Behalf: The Wilderness Temptation ~
The Situations
~ Jesus Christ stood alone
against the power of darkness on three distinct occasions. The first may be thought of as primarily
physical, the second mental, and the third spiritual. In each case it was a spiritual battle
against the unseen forces of evil (Ephesians 6:11-13). In each of these situations the “Light of the
World” waged war on our behalf against the unseen forces of evil. In conquering each situation He was tackling
basic problems of fallen mankind on earth.
The
Result ~ Jesus
Christ provided, and provides, the solutions to the sin problems which we
encounter today. “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews
4:15-16).
The First Event Was The Temptation In
The Wilderness (physical) ~ “Then Jesus, being filled
with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and
afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, command
this stone to become bread.’ But Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God.”’ Then the devil, taking Him up on a high
mountain, showed Him all the
kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and
their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I
wish. Therefore, if You will worship
before me, all will be Yours.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For it
is written, “You shall worship the Lord
your God, and Him only you shall serve.”’
Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from
here. For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,” and, “In their hands they shall
bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”’ And Jesus answered and
said to him, ‘It has been said, “You shall
not tempt the Lord your God.”’ Now when the devil had ended every
temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke
4:1-13).
Comments ~ (1) Dr.
Luke just prior to recording this event presents the genealogy of Jesus
Christ. Since the Gospel of Luke
presents our Lord as the Son of Man it is the genealogy of Mary—the side from
which He received His humanity.
(2) The
beginning of this passage notes that Jesus Christ was “filled with the Spirit”
and “led by the Spirit.” Do we dare to think
we can win spiritual battles when we are not filled with and led by God’s
Spirit? Without the Spirit we have no chance of standing. “I say then:
Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians
5:16).
(3) As often
noted Jesus Christ answered each of these three temptations by quoting
Scripture.
(4) Satan
knows Scripture—and quoted it to Jesus—pointing out the need for proper
interpretation and application of Scripture.
Our
Responsibility
~ “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand” (Ephesians 6:11-13).
the key question:
“Who do you say that I am?”
(Matthew 16:15). This is the most
important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it
incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE
NOW
NOTES:
(1)
The
current
TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very
bottom of this home page.
(2)
There
is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the
left column.
(3)
You
may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.
(4)
You
may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by
prominently displaying the following statement: Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free
blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid
Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/
.
