The Word This Week
Luke 4:1…
The temptation of Christ is a compelling recounting of the first events which transpired in the ministry life of Christ, demonstrating Jesus’ devotion to His calling, and His ability to easily fend off Satan without the need for any miraculous power. The Word of God was all the power He needed.
The first thing the Holy Spirit did - once Jesus had been baptized in a very public setting - was lead Him into the wilderness alone without provision of food. And none was made. This was 40 days of fasting ordained for Jesus as a means of demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit working in conjunction with the Word of God to defeat all Satan’s best attempts to divert Jesus from His calling.
We can know Satan – knowing Who Jesus was – took His best shots at Jesus. If Satan could cause Jesus to doubt His calling and His mission, Satan could change the course of prophetic history. All of Satan’s temptations are always based upon doubting God’s Word.
We note, Jesus WAS tempted. This teaches us very profoundly temptation is NOT sin. In fact, the Bible teaches us Jesus was tempted in all points as we are yet was without sin. (Heb 4:15)
It is also important to note Jesus is not acting in some sort of human super-power. He is our example because He defends Himself as a man empowered by the Holy Spirit.
When the Bible teaches us to resist temptations, Jesus is our example to us how we may do so.
The Bible also reminds us all temptations originate with Satan. God never tempts anyone.
Knowing all this, Jesus is equipped and empowered by God, even though physically He is at low ebb. After 40 days of fasting from food, Jesus is hungry. His physical body required food just as ours does.
The question is: did this fast make Jesus stronger or weaker Spiritually?
Satan’s angle is indeed Spiritual. Hasn’t God let you down by not feeding you? Hasn’t God let you down by not giving You the world without having to go to the cross? Hasn’t God let you down by placing you in such a lowly position people refuse to acknowledge the glory You deserve.
Satan: “Unlike God, I can provide You all of that, and You won’t have to suffer all these indignities.”
Notice Jesus’ only defense is to employ the Word of God in each and every temptation. Also notice each and every temptation was easily fended off.
Now, go and do likewise.
Pastor Bill
The temptation of Christ is a compelling recounting of the first events which transpired in the ministry life of Christ, demonstrating Jesus’ devotion to His calling, and His ability to easily fend off Satan without the need for any miraculous power. The Word of God was all the power He needed.
The first thing the Holy Spirit did - once Jesus had been baptized in a very public setting - was lead Him into the wilderness alone without provision of food. And none was made. This was 40 days of fasting ordained for Jesus as a means of demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit working in conjunction with the Word of God to defeat all Satan’s best attempts to divert Jesus from His calling.
We can know Satan – knowing Who Jesus was – took His best shots at Jesus. If Satan could cause Jesus to doubt His calling and His mission, Satan could change the course of prophetic history. All of Satan’s temptations are always based upon doubting God’s Word.
We note, Jesus WAS tempted. This teaches us very profoundly temptation is NOT sin. In fact, the Bible teaches us Jesus was tempted in all points as we are yet was without sin. (Heb 4:15)
It is also important to note Jesus is not acting in some sort of human super-power. He is our example because He defends Himself as a man empowered by the Holy Spirit.
When the Bible teaches us to resist temptations, Jesus is our example to us how we may do so.
The Bible also reminds us all temptations originate with Satan. God never tempts anyone.
Knowing all this, Jesus is equipped and empowered by God, even though physically He is at low ebb. After 40 days of fasting from food, Jesus is hungry. His physical body required food just as ours does.
The question is: did this fast make Jesus stronger or weaker Spiritually?
Satan’s angle is indeed Spiritual. Hasn’t God let you down by not feeding you? Hasn’t God let you down by not giving You the world without having to go to the cross? Hasn’t God let you down by placing you in such a lowly position people refuse to acknowledge the glory You deserve.
Satan: “Unlike God, I can provide You all of that, and You won’t have to suffer all these indignities.”
Notice Jesus’ only defense is to employ the Word of God in each and every temptation. Also notice each and every temptation was easily fended off.
Now, go and do likewise.
Pastor Bill