When Was Jesus Tempted?

N. T. #21" When Was Jesus Tempted?"

March 6, 2023

Matthew 4

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

Does chocolate tempt you? It doesn't me, for I don't like chocolate. I know, others consider me weird, not normal, strange, etc. Now give me caramel in any form, that tempts me. Last night, we had ice cream after worship time. Some put chocolate syrup on top of theirs, but not me. Guess what I put on top of me-caramel. Jesus was tempted by the devil and that is what we are going to look at today.

So far in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus left heaven and was born so He could identify with us. He grew up as any other child did, except He was without sin. At His baptism, Jesus put on our sin and identified with us. Now He is going to be tested in order to prove this King is able to withstand a test/tempted and be an overcomer. Since Jesus did not yield to the temptations of the devil, He proved that He was the Son of God, and showed us true obedience. 

Keep in mind that God is never the agent of temptation. (James 1:13) However, God uses even satanic tempting to serve His sovereign purposes. Christ was tempted in all points. (Heb. 4:15; 1 John 2:16) (MacArthur)

Note that it was when Jesus was tired, alone, and hungry and thus most vulnerable when He was tempted. At our low point or victorious high point in life, we can be tempted to sin.

What do we know occurred before the temptations? 

• Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. So this confrontation was not an accident. The devil had an agenda-cause Jesus to worship him, not God.
• Jesus got alone in the wilderness. And wilderness it is, west of the Dead Sea. Today the mountains are of clay, not dirt and greenery.
• Jesus fasted there 40 days and 40 nights. (verse 2)
• Jesus was hungry after that time.
• When Jesus was at His low point physically, then the devil came to Him; it was not at the beginning of the fast nor 20 days later. 

In the Greek language, devil means false accuser; slanderer.

Isn't that what the devil is good at-accusing and slandering? We need to know what is truth and what are lies. We need to know Scriptures so we can stand firm in the time of our temptations. Jesus used Scriptures to refute the devil and so can/must we.

LET IT GROW

Christians have to be careful and alert constantly. 1 Peter 5:6-8 tells us Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 

Let us humble ourself before Almighty God, cast all our cares upon Him, stay alert and watch out for our enemy the devil. He wants to devour us, chew us up and spit us out like a lion. (Only a lion eats his prey.) Stand firm against him and be strong in our faith. (NLT)

LET IT GO

Jesus, You know our weaknesses and down falls and short comings.

Strengthen our faith in You, Savior.

You are all powerful. 

What an awesome Savior we serve, for You walked this road of life and did not sin even once.