LESSONS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIRST TEMPTATION AS RECORDED IN LUKE 4
Posted November 29 | Pastor Jess Smith
Observations:
- The foundations of grace that support and sustain the church in her times(s) of trial and suffering were laid in the wilderness during the temptation of the Lord Jesus and His victory over Satan. Because He stood we can stand.
- All temptations and tests are under the sovereign control of God. As He ordained and directed all the events of Christ’s temptation so He also ordains and directs the times of our testing – Deuteronomy 8:2-3; James 1:2-4, 12-18.
Lessons:
- This first temptation was designed to test the character of the Lord and His understanding of His calling. Would He take the easy way out by doing a splashy, spectacular, self-centered miracle to satisfy His hunger or would He stand firm on the Word of God on His way to Golgotha?
- By giving in to the temptation, the Lord would have demonstrated a lack of trust in God and His redemptive purpose. Praise God that Christ stood firm in the settled Word of God – Psalm 119:89; 25:4-5, 16-22.
- Succumbing to the temptation of turning stones into bread would have brought immediate relief both physically and emotionally. For us to fall prey to temptations that are sparked by the lust of the flesh, the pride of life and the lust of the eyes would also be instantly gratifying, but would leave the soul parched and starving!
- This temptation was an assault on the Word of God and the very character of God. It was grounded in half-truths and deceits. For example, pornography may and does provide immediate gratification. There is pleasure in sin for a season. But the reality is that the damage it does emotionally, relationally and spiritually far outweighs the immediate satisfaction of lust. If worshiping at the altar of sexual idolatry is not stopped and the alter torn down, the results will be gravely ruinous, destructive and sorrowful.
- As with all temptations, there will always be more. Sin is never satisfied, temptation is never through with us. Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days and then finished this episode with three more temptations designed to stop His going to the cross. Praise God these temptations all failed and Jesus gloriously succeeded where both Adam and Israel failed!
- This was the first test on the way to the cross. Would Jesus take the easy road, end the suffering superficially and be temporarily satisfied? Or would He stand fast, trusting His Father and continue down Calvary’s road to redeem and free his elect bride? Praise God that He stood firmly so that we might be saved and be able to stand faithfully in the hour of our testing!