“Winning In The Wilderness:Lessons from the Temptation of Jesus”

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” .

Before beginning his ministry, Jesus faces off with Satan after being led by the Spirit into the desert. Luke makes such leading clear by noting both that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” and that he was “led by the Spirit in the desert.” Jesus’ successful encounter with the devil reveals how thoroughly dedicated he is to God’s will and call. Jesus will take only the road God asks him to follow. He will not take any shortcuts. He knows that a successful walk with God only goes where the Father leads.

Jesus’ successful encounter with the devil reveals how thoroughly dedicated he is to God’s will and call. Jesus will take only the road God asks him to follow. He will not take any shortcuts. He knows that a successful walk with God only goes where the Father leads

1. First temptation

The NIV Application Commentary: Luke Original Meaning

BEFORE BEGINNING HIS ministry, Jesus faces off with Satan after being led by the Spirit into the desert.1 Luke makes such leading clear by noting both that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” and that he was “led by the Spirit in the desert.”

Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 127.

Such fasting probably involved minimum drink only

Also important to the event’s background is the fact that it takes place after forty days of fasting

1. First temptation

1. First temptation

The event is built around three distinct temptations. Satan tempts Jesus to act in a way that supports his Sonship. Of course, his goal behind these temptations is the exact opposite: luring Jesus to act independently of the Father and thus creating a rebellious Sonship. In each case, Jesus uses Scripture to counter Satan’s attempt.

In each case, Jesus uses Scripture to counter Satan’s attempt.

The first temptation questions God’s provision and care. Satan’s premise is that Jesus’ Sonship must mean that God does not want him to starve in the desert, so the mighty Son should simply turn stone into bread and meet his basic needs under his own power. But Jesus understands that the request is not a challenge to be strong, but to be independent. Such independence is weakness and leads to failure. Jesus’ reply comes from ,

The first temptation questions God’s provision and care. Satan’s premise is that Jesus’ Sonship must mean that God does not want him to starve in the desert, so the mighty Son should simply turn stone into bread and meet his basic needs under his own power. But Jesus understands that the request is not a challenge to be strong, but to be independent. Such independence is weakness and leads to failure. Jesus’ reply comes from ,

“He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” arguing that life is run by more than food. In fact, in the priority of things, life is not defined by bread at all. Instead, life is defined by doing God’s will and depending on his leading. In the Deuteronomy citation, the next line refers to living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. To follow God is to live.

While Jesus’ temptations are unique, the satanic challenges to loyalty are not. Satan may not replicate the same temptations with us, especially since we are not the unique Son of God, but he does use the same key issue, namely, a challenge to faithfulness. Jesus’ temptations shows he stands solidly with God. Our temptations should be resisted in such a way that we reveal a similar character. A final key issue emerges in how Jesus handles these temptations.

He does not think or rationalize his way out of God’s will. He could easily have said that God would not want his own Son to starve, to suffer rejection, or to die. We must be careful that the shortcuts that often become possible in life do not in fact reflect rationalization to avoid God’s will.

Jesus’ temptations shows he stands solidly with God. Our temptations should be resisted in such a way that we reveal a similar character.

We must be careful that the shortcuts that often become possible in life do not in fact reflect rationalization to avoid God’s will.

A final key issue emerges in how Jesus handles these temptations.

God uses tests in our lives to show us where we stand before him.

No argument or temptation could daunt the Lord Jesus. This temptation by Satan also reveals that though Jesus was human and subject to human temptations, he was perfect because he overcame all the temptations that satan presented to him. The story of Jesus temptation is an important demonstration of his power and sinlessness. He faced temptation and did not give in. His followers should trust in him as they face temptations that will test their faithfulness to God.

No argument or temptation could daunt the Lord Jesus. This temptation by Satan also reveals that though Jesus was human and subject to human temptations, he was perfect because he overcame all the temptations that satan presented to him. The story of Jesus temptation is an important demonstration of his power and sinlessness. He faced temptation and did not give in. His followers should trust in him as they face temptations that will test their faithfulness to God.

No argument or temptation could daunt the Lord Jesus. This temptation by Satan also reveals that though Jesus was human and subject to human temptations, he was perfect because he overcame all the temptations that satan presented to him. The story of Jesus temptation is an important demonstration of his power and sinlessness. He faced temptation and did not give in. His followers should trust in him as they face temptations that will test their faithfulness to God.

Satan tempts Jesus to act in a way that supports his Sonship. Of course, his goal behind these temptations is the exact opposite: luring Jesus to act independently of the Father and thus creating a rebellious Sonship.

The NIV Application Commentary: Luke Original Meaning

The first temptation questions God’s provision and care. Satan’s premise is that Jesus’ Sonship must mean that God does not want him to starve in the desert, so the mighty Son should simply turn stone into bread and meet his basic needs under his own power. But Jesus understands that the request is not a challenge to be strong, but to be independent. Such independence is weakness and leads to failure. Jesus’ reply comes from Deuteronomy 8:3b, arguing that life is run by more than food. In fact, in the priority of things, life is not defined by bread at all. Instead, life is defined by doing God’s will and depending on his leading. In the Deuteronomy citation, the next line refers to living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. To follow God is to live.

The NIV Application Commentary: Luke Bridging Contexts

While Jesus’ temptations are unique, the satanic challenges to loyalty are not. Satan may not replicate the same temptations with us, especially since we are not the unique Son of God, but he does use the same key issue, namely, a challenge to faithfulness.

.arguing that life is run by more than food. In fact, in the priority of things, life is not defined by bread at all. Instead, life is defined by doing God’s will and depending on his leading. In the Deuteronomy citation, the next line refers to living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. To follow God is to live.

No argument or temptation could daunt the Lord Jesus. This temptation by Satan also reveals that though Jesus was human and subject to human temptations, he was perfect because he overcame all the temptations that satan presented to him. The story of Jesus temptation is an important demonstration of his power and sinlessness. He faced temptation and did not give in. His followers should trust in him as they face temptations that will test their faithfulness to God.

Studying this account of Jesus temptation can help believers better understand their temptations and how to overcome them. Jesus took the offensive against the enemy, The Devil, by going into the wilderness to face temptation. The Word “Devil” in the Greek means “accuser”. In the Old Testament, the “wilderness” (or “desert”) was a desolate and dangerous place where wild animals lived. Jesus dealings with Satan in these temptations provide insight into how to deal with Satan’s proddings.

Why was it necessary for Jesus to be tempted? First, temptation is part of the human experience. For Jesus to be fully human, he had to face temptation. The devil’s temptations focused on three crucial areas: (1) physical needs and desires,(2) possessions and power, and (3) pride. This temptation by the devil shows that Jesus was human, and it gave Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God’s plan for his ministry.

It also provides an example to follow during temptation. This temptation lasted for forty days.

The three temptations recorded here occured when Jesus was at his most physically weakened state. But Satan could not weaken Jesus spiritually.

a. The test (4:3): The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” “Change this stone into a loaf of bread!”God’s Spirit will lead believers, as he lead Jesus, into the places that will test and stretch their faith. God uses tests in our lives to show us where we stand before him. On the surface, this might seem to be fairly harmless act, even a compassionate suggestion on the devil’s part.

a. The test (4:3): The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” “Change this stone into a loaf of bread!”God’s Spirit will lead believers, as he lead Jesus, into the places that will test and stretch their faith.God uses tests in our lives to show us where we stand before him.

Jesus was very hungry, so why not use the resources at his command and make himself a loaf of bread from a stone? In this case, however, the sin was not in the act but in the reason behind it. The devil was trying to get Jesus to take a shortcut, to solve his immediate problem at the expense of his long-range goals, to seek comfort at the sacrifices of his discipline. Satan often works that way-persuading people to take action, even right action, for the wrong reason or at the wrong time. The fact that something is not wrong in itself does not mean that it is good for someone at a given time. Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God’s will or ahead of his timetable.

The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.”

Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), .

Satan phrased his temptation in an interesting manner. He said, “If you are the Son of God.” The word “if” did not imply doubt; both Jesus and Satan knew the truth. Instead, Satan was tempting Jesus with his own power. If indeed Jesus was the son of the one true, all powerful God, then Jesus certainly could command this stone to become a loaf of bread if he so chose in order to satisfy his hunger.

“God’s powerful Son ought not go hungry,” Satan suggested. Satan did not doubt Jesus sonship or his ability to turn stones to bread. Instead, he wanted Jesus to use power in the wrong way at the wrong time-to use his position to meet his own needs rather than to fulfill his God-given mission. In later miracles Jesus did supply baskets full of bread, but he supplied them for a hungry crowd, not to satisfy himself. And he did the miracles according to God’s perfect timing for God’s purpose as part of his mission (see 9:10-17).

Application

The first application emerging from this event is about temptation itself. Tests in life are not bad; in fact, they can be divinely sent (). The main issue is my response to a test. Do I respond in a way that looks to God to guide me through it? Do I trust him, or do I put him to the test? How do I respond to personal struggles in my life? Do I get angry? Do I seek to reassert my control (even when I know I cannot control events!)? Or do I rest in faith, look for God’s hand, and ask him what I should learn from what I am going through? Though I personally wish I could say that I always do the latter, I know I do not, but that should certainly be my goal. If I am to grow spiritually, I can expect trial. If I am to grow spiritually, I need to look to God in the midst of it.

Such trust can extend to provision. Though Satan tested Jesus about the most basic of needs, bread, we sometimes desire to “feed ourselves” with things we feel are basic to life. But those “basic things” frequently involve a larger home, more gadgets, the finest appliances, the most expensive clothes, and a host of other material possessions to say that we have arrived. Yet life is not defined materially; rather, it is defined relationally and spiritually in terms of knowing God and serving him in the context of his will. Sometimes giving resources to the accomplishment of ministry may mean giving up personal material pleasures.

The pursuit of material goals can become a driving force in our lives. But where does God’s Word and leading stand? Will Satan succeed in testing us to take bread that God is not asking us to eat, while we ignore the most basic meal of all, his will? Sometimes God provides marvelously in the midst of a sacrifice made for his will. Seeking to have less materially may mean having much more.

As Jesus turned down Satan and consciously chose to follow God down the hard road of his ministry, so too we must be prepared to walk into events under his leading, even where the outcome is not clear. If you dealing with doubt, realize that you are especially vulnerable to temptation. Even as you search for answers, protect yourself by meditating on the unshakable truths of God’s Word.

The NIV Application Commentary: Luke Contemporary Significance

As Jesus turned down Satan and consciously chose to follow God down the hard road of his ministry, so too we must be prepared to walk into events under his leading, even where the outcome is not clear.

The NIV Application Commentary: Luke Contemporary Significance

The pursuit of material goals can become a driving force in our lives. But where does God’s Word and leading stand? Will Satan succeed in testing us to take bread that God is not asking us to eat, while we ignore the most basic meal of all, his will? Sometimes God provides marvelously in the midst of a sacrifice made for his will. Seeking to have less materially may mean having much more.

The NIV Application Commentary: Luke Contemporary Significance

THE FIRST APPLICATION emerging from this event is about temptation itself. Tests in life are not bad; in fact, they can be divinely sent (James 1:2–4). The main issue is my response to a test. Do I respond in a way that looks to God to guide me through it? Do I trust him, or do I put him to the test? How do I respond to personal struggles in my life? Do I get angry? Do I seek to reassert my control (even when I know I cannot control events!)? Or do I rest in faith, look for God’s hand, and ask him what I should learn from what I am going through? Though I personally wish I could say that I always do the latter, I know I do not, but that should certainly be my goal. If I am to grow spiritually, I can expect trial. If I am to grow spiritually, I need to look to God in the midst of it.

Such trust can extend to provision. Though Satan tested Jesus about the most basic of needs, bread, we sometimes desire to “feed ourselves” with things we feel are basic to life. But those “basic things” frequently involve a larger home, more gadgets, the finest appliances, the most expensive clothes, and a host of other material possessions to say that we have arrived. Yet life is not defined materially; rather, it is defined relationally and spiritually in terms of knowing God and serving him in the context of his will. Sometimes giving resources to the accomplishment of ministry may mean giving up personal material pleasures.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), .