Questioning Who Jesus Is

N.T.#494 "Questioning Who Jesus Is"

Feb. 25, 2025 

Luke 4-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We left Jesus fasting in the wilderness for 40 days. He was there allowing God to preparing Him spiritually for His ministry ahead. When it had ended, what happens but the devil comes to tempt Jesus. Not once, but three times in verses 3-13. Shall we take a closer look at their encounter:

The devil (false accuser; Satan) attacked Jesus, tempting Him in three ways:

1. Personally
2. Power
3. Pride.

How did the devil tempt Jesus personally? He tempted the physically hungry Jesus to turn stones into bread, if He was the Son of God. Satan knew who Jesus is. Turning stones into bread for Jesus to eat would not be sin. Did you catch the little word if? Right up front the devil was trying to cause Jesus to doubt who His is.

Do we doubt who Jesus is? Is He your Savior, Master over your life?

Did you catch it? Just as the devil tempted Adam and Evil to sin (which was successful), he used the same tactics on Jesus. Doubt the goodness of God, act independently of the Father, and not trust in God; that was what the first couple did when they disobeyed God's orders.

If Jesus yielded to the devil's temptation by stones into bread, then He would yield to other temptations, chances are. Jesus wasn't there to do the devil's work, but His Heavenly Father's work. 

For whom are we working? Self, the devil, or God?

LET IT GROW

How did Jesus respond to the first temptation of the devil?

Jesus used Scripture to put the devil in his place.

He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Jesus had power over stones, kingdoms of this world, and angels. However, the devil wanted Him to use that power for His purpose, disregarding Jesus' mission, act selfishly. 

Jesus refused to act independently of His Father; He trusted God's provision. (After all, Jesus had gone 40 days without food. What's another couple of hours in comparison?)

If the Son of God faced the devil while full of the Spirit and armed with the Word of God, wouldn't he likely tempt us, also?

We must guard ourselves with the Word of God, know who Jesus is, and be obedient to the Father, without sinning. That is what pleases God.

However, there are times we yield and sin. He faithfully forgives us when we confess our sins. May we not cause our brothers and sisters to stumble into sin by what we do.

LET IT GO

Righteousness is what You want from me, Lord Jesus.

Take my heart and form it, take my mind and life and conform it, to Yours, O Lord.

Jesus, You are the Son of God. 

Use us in kingdom work today.