The Temptation of Christ. Luke 4:1-13

Introduction:

Gaining victory over temptation is an essential part of the life of the christian life. Temptation to sin is something that every child of God experiences every day of our lives. But, we can rest assured that no temptation has ever confronted mankind that the Lord Jesus himself was not confronted with and gained victory over.

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

15 For 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.

Luke 4:1-13 details for us the temptation of Christ and how he overcame that temptation without sinning. From his life, we too can learn how to combat and overcome temptation with the help of His spirit.

Luke jumps right into the narrative of Christ’s temptation by saying:

Luke 4:1–2 (NKJV)

1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 being tempted for forty days by the devil...

There are three essential facts that we need to remind ourselves of as we study this event:

ThatJesus was fully man (Incarnation). That means he had a human body and a human mind. To believe that Jesus had a human body but that his mind and intellect were not human is to fall victim to an ancient heresy known as docetism. Jesus didn't just seem to be fully man, he was fully man in every way, yet without sin.

When Jesus became a man, he placed the exercise of his divine knowledge and power under the discretion of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5–11 (NKJV)

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation (literally “emptied Himself”), taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This means that his human mind progressively acquired a divine awareness as God the Father willed it too. Don’t take my word for that, hear the words of Jesus:

John 5:19 NKJV

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

John 8:28 NKJV

28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

So, in Luke 4, during His temptation, Jesus knew He was the Son of God, but he was only able to withstand the temptation from the devil as a real man. The only power he had to resist the devil was by depending on God (the Father) for strength.

The temptations were real and Jesus withstood them as a real man who was like us in every way. The reality of the incarnation is why we can learn to withstand temptation from the example of Christ.

Jesus temptation was arranged by the Holy Spirit in order to finish Jesus preparation for public ministry by making him aware of all the perils he had to resist.

Jesus temptation in the wilderness for 40 days is a parallel to Israel wandering in the dessert for 40 years. Israel failed repeatedly in the three ares in which Jesus excelled. Jesus likely had thought on this very thing because all three times in which he answers the devil he quotes from the book a section of the book of Deuteronomy that addresses Israels failures in the wilderness.

The wilderness where this event took place in the life of Christ was stark. It was the wilderness of Jeshimon ( The Devastation) which laid between the inhabited hill country of Judea and the Dead Sea. It was a desolate wasteland.

Here was Jesus, wandering in a wasteland, without food for 40 days (which they say is the point you become the most desperate) when the devil appears to him and begins to tempt Jesus to sin.

There were three temptations of Christ in the text and this morning we will look at all three in order to learn how we too can withstand temptation by following the example of our Lord.

1.) Temptation 1: Rely on your own power and ability. (v.2-4)

A.) The Devil Speaks. (v.3)

At this point, Jesus had been without food for 6 weeks. He was likely experiencing hunger like never before. He likely felt like he was dying and that’s not an exaggeration. Add to that, because he was the Son of God, he could invoke supernatural abilities and actually turn those stones to bread. We couldn’t do that, but He could in an instant. His own stomach probably spoke in unison with the voice of Satan.

At first glance when you read this, you might think: “What’s the bid deal?”

But this wasn’t just a physical temptation; it was a spiritual temptation.

The spiritual temptation was to provide for his own physical needs apart from the will of his Father. Add to that he would have to outside of the natural order to meet his hunger and momentarily suspend living like a real human.

The temptation was to go outside of His Fathers will in order to do his own will in his own power and ability.

Does that sound like something that you are tempted with in everyday life?

This is a sin known as the “Lust of the flesh.” It is an overpowering desire for that which God has forbidden.

1 John 2:15–16 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

The most frequent way in which the Bible uses the word “flesh” is in dealing with our propensity to sin. Our sinful nature is so closely tied to our being humanity that the Bible just calls it “flesh.”

Desires that arise from being fleshly creatures in a fallen world can quickly become sinful lusts. Those desires alone are not sinful. The desire for food, water, shelter, sex, and comfort isn't sinful. God created us with those desires, but when those fleshly desires rule us, and take priority over God’s will, they cause us to violate God’s righteousness and become lusts.

Jesus was being tempted to take a natural desire, hunger, outside of the bounds of God’s will in order to meet his own need apart from what Good had provided him.

B.) Jesus Answers. (v.4)

Jesus responded to Satan that something more than physical food was needed to sustain his life. That man needs to be fed by the word of God.

Luke 4:4 NKJV

4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3

Deuteronomy 8:3 (NKJV)

...that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

In doing this, Jesus was demonstrating to Satan that that no physical need would ever drive from his fathers will to his own.

That’s powerful. Jesus could have used his own ability to solve his hunger, but instead chose to be an obedient son. He could have fixed himself dinner in a second, but instead said “God’s word is all I need to sustain me.”

Application: Friends, our temptation isn't to turn stones into bread, we’re not tempted with the impossible. But we regularly succumb to the temptation to go beyond the parameters God has set up for us in His word to satisfy our personal needs and desires.

We run to the internet when we feel like were not being fulfilled sexually.

We go to the refrigerator and the drive through to cope with our stress.

We promote ourselves instead of letting God do it.

We scheme and plan for our well being because we assume God doesn't care and doesn't know our needs.

We refuse to live “by every word of God” and instead live in our own strength.

We need to be like Jesus and find our fulfillment not in meeting the desires of our flesh but in God alone. Jesus alone can meet every need and desire.

Hebrews 2:16 NKJV

16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

2.) Temptation 2: Compromise to reach the goal. (v.5-8)

A.) The Devil Speaks. (v.5-7)

Next, the Devil takes Jesus high on a mountain top (we do not know if he actually went to the top of a mountain or this is some sort of vision) and shows him the kingdoms of the world. He offer all of it to Jesus, “the world will worship at your feet and you can be it’s ruler, without any pain or suffering involved.”

Satan wasn't lying when he told Jesus “this has been delivered to me, and I can give it to whomever I wish.” Satans sovereignty in this world is limited, yes, but he does possess some sovereignty.

Jesus tells us three times that Satan is the “prince of this world.” (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)

Paul called him the “prince of this world” (Ephesians 2:2) and “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

So, Satan was making a legitimate offer. But why?

If Jesus would have accepted this offer, Christ would have to have recognized him as the supreme authority and worshipped him as god.

The temptation was to take the easy way out to being the King of Kings. To go apart from God the Father’s will in order to be a “short cut” savior. To take the extreme and cruel agony that the cross would bring, or instant exultation. All it would take is a little bow, a split second of idolatry and it all would be at his fingertips.

Have you ever been tempted to take a short-cut that violates God’s Word and biblical principle to get ahead in life?

This is a sin known as the Lust of the eyes. This is when we see something visually that incites covetousness, jealousy or sexual lust. To see something and sinfully desire to possess it. It can include people, possessions or status.

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

This world is full of “eye candy” glamor and gaudiness. However to quote an old cliche “all the glitters is not gold.”

Jesus was being tempted by what he saw could be his, if he’d only take the easy way out and compromise.

B.) Jesus Answer. (v.8)

Notice, Jesus doesn't spend a lot of time debating with Satan here. He is quick and decisive with His answer.

He says:

Luke 4:8 NKJV

8 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.’ ”

He is quoting Deuteronomy 6:13

Deuteronomy 6:13 NKJV

13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

There was no room for compromise in the Life of Jesus. Jesus would worship only at the feet of His father and in due time be exalted by him.

Go read the Book of Revelation chapters 4-9 and see what happens when Jesus gets the deed to this world from the hand of God.

Application: Folks, the siren song of our culture is to avoid pain and take the easy way out. The path of least resistance.

Drugs, cheating on taxes, alcoholism etc.

The temptation is to do the opposite of what the Bible tells us.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Jesus embraced the pain and suffering, he endured the cross and he calls us to do the same.

Matthew 16:24–25 NKJV

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

If the perfect Son of God had to hang on a tree before He could sit on the throne, then His disciples should not expect an easier way of life

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 183.

To take the easy way out is idolatry. It is worshipping another God.

3.) Temptation 3: Use presumption to gain attention. (v.9-12)

A.) The Devil Speaks. (v.9-11)

The third and final temptation of Jesus involved Satan taking Jesus to the highest point of the temple. (Show picture from Roses Guide to the temple) This would have been the point of the roof of the Royal Portico which was on the back side of the temple which overlooked the Kidron Valley. It was about a 450 ft drop to the ground below. Again we don’t know if the Devil physically took him there or if this was a vision, but there they stood on the Southeast of the temple roof as the wind would have whipped around them.

“If you are the Son of God, jump. After all, don’t the Paslams tell you that your father would not allow your feet to dash against the rocks without sending his angels to catch you.”

He is misquoting Psalm 91:10-12

Psalm 91:10–12 NKJV

10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

This is a wisdom Psalm which promises that God will defend the faithful. Satan was trying to take advantage of Jesus twice before quoting the scripture to him. In a sense he was saying, “your commited to obeying God’s word, let’s see if you really believe it.”

The Jews were always looking for an extraordinary sign, imagine the sign this would have been. In fact, there were even Rabbinic teachings in that day that said that when Messiah would come, he would stand on the roof of the temple.

“If you really have faith, jump”

This is the sin of presumption or as the Bible calls it, the pride of life.

1 John 2:16 NKJV

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

The “pride of life” is anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. Anything that exalts us above our station and offers the illusion of God-like qualities, wherein we boast in arrogance and worldly wisdom. This is the very sin that resulted in Satan being expelled from Heaven. The arrogant boasting which constitutes the pride of life motivates the other two lusts as it seeks to fulfill all personal desires. It is the root cause of strife in families, churches, and nations. The pride of life stands in our way if we truly seek to be servants of God. It is the arrogance that separates us from others and limits our effectiveness in the kingdom.

B.) Jesus Answer. (v.12)

For the third time, Jesus responds with scripture.

Luke 4:12 NKJV

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

He is once again quoting from Deuteronomy 6.

Deuteronomy 6:16 (NKJV)

16 “You shall not tempt (put to the test) the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

During Israels wandering in the wilderness in Exodus 17, the people questioned if God was among them because they didnt have any water. They complained about God’s provision for them when Moses was told to strike the rock in order to provide water. If you read in Exodus 17, it says God went before them to the rock, but the people presumed that God wasn’t with them. They acted in the pride of life.

The message behind the record of that event is that we are not to attempt to force God to act in any way outside of His will.

A willful swan dive off the peak of the temple to see if God would send angels to catch him would have been nothing but an act of arrogance to draw attention to himself.

We’re no different today, we give in to this sin all of the time.

We twist scripture in ways that justify our sin and allow us to do what we want then we expect God to pick up the pieces and make everything better when we hit the bottom.

We can not rationalize disobedience by saying, God will catch me if I fall. That is the pride of life. presuming you know better than God. It is a dangerous thing to try the patience of God.

Conclusion:

V.13 tells us that jesus resisting the temptation of the devil worked, and Satan left until another a more opportune time would present itself. The victory had been won, the temptation had been conquered, Satan was sent off licking his wounds, and a roadmap for how we can fight temptation with the Lord’s help was left behind.

There is much practical wisdom to gain from this passage as it relates to our own battle with sin.

Jesus resisted these temptations as a man.

Hebrews 2:18 NKJV

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

This means we can call on him for help in our times of temptation, because he is always at our side.

When the great reformer Martin Luther was asked how he overcame the devil, he replied, “Well, when he comes knocking upon the door of my heart, and asks ‘Who lives here?’ the dear Lord Jesus goes to the door and says, ‘Martin Luther used to live here, but he has moved out. Now I live here.’ ”

When you fill your life with Christ, Satan has no room to get in.

2. Jesus was able to conquer temptation because He was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and was “led by the Spirit.”

The fullness of the Spirit produces none fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) The seventh fruit is “faithfulness.” The Spirit of God will help you remain faithful to him if you just listen and obey his leading.

3. Jesus was filled with God’s word. Jesus responded to every temptation by using the scriptures.

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

He put the truth of this verse to work in his battle. The more we know of God’s word, the more we know of God’s mind and God’s mind isn't subject to the power of sin. If we fill our hearts and our minds with God’s word, sin and temptation can’t dominate our lives.

We cannot live on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord, if we don’t know the Word of God. Follow Jesus example and spend regular amounts of time reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on the Word of God. Fill yourself with scripture. Then when temptation comes, God’s word is available at a moments notice to fight it.

I’m convinced, those times in my life when I’m struggling with sin the most are when I am neglectful of His Word.

There are your tools for defeating temptation in your own life: Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God’s Word.

Maybe your losing the battle because you don’t have Christ and his spirit. Give the Gospel. Talk about the forgiveness and freedom from sin found in Christ.

Talk to the christians about being neglectful of God’s word and call them to repentance and commitment to it.