Monday 10 February 2014

Jesus is Tempted

Jesus is Tempted.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’” 
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’’” 
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’” 
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’” 
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” 
                                                            Matthew 4:1-11
The temptations of Jesus were very real not just symbolic. And we must remember that while Jesus was God. While on earth he functioned as nothing less than man. Thus he went through the temptations as a man and he triumphed over them.
His first temptation was to use his supernatural power for himself. Jesus was not willing to do so. Nor would he use his power to win the masses over as if by a type of witch craft.
When Jesus used his power it was to help the individual. It proved he was from God but it left the decision about who he was still in the hands of those who seen what he did.
The second temptation is about showing how God would protect Jesus if he threw himself off a heigh point. Satan tell him that God would send his angels to catch him. Thus very publicly showing people his supernatural link with God.
Jesus refused quoting scripture “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Jesus was not going to win people by showing the people this supernatural connection with God.
Those who come to Christ. Those who come to God must come in faith. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 
                            Hebrews 11:6
The third temptation was to bow down and worship Satan. Jesus had no inclination to compromise with Satan. He rebukes him again by quoting scripture,
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’” 
Jesus refused to Sin no matter what the circumstance. Thus after the third temptation Satan left him and Jesus would begin his ministry.

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