Today's Reading: Luke 4
Today's Focus: Vs. 1-13
The story of Jesus' temptation is one of great hope and joy to us! Sadly, many preachers and teachers extrapolate only the moral lesson from it. It goes something like this:
Jesus was tempted. Let's examine how He defeated Satan in those moments. He quoted Scripture. He knew God's Word. He resisted the Devil and the Devil fled Him. But the last verse there said that the Devil only departed "until an opportune time." This means that you may win a battle, but Satan will find other opportunities to bring you down. When he tempts you again at another time, hang on to God's Word and resist the Devil.
Is there anything wrong with that interpretation? Absolutely not!! In fact, Jesus' battle with Satan ought to be something we learn from and follow! He is our Master, and He has defeated Satan. This is a snippet of how He does it! Yes! Indeed, imitate Christ in your daily struggle with sin!
But to say that the passage is there for the sole purpose of teaching us how to live holy falls short of a grander message.
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Reading that sends chills down my spine. The reason we have the account of Jesus' temptation and victory is to silence those who say, "God doesn't understand me." Or those who think that God is "uptight," and doesn't understand the human nature.
Rather, Jesus was simultaneously 100% God while 100% man ("Hypostatic Union"). Because Jesus was 100% man, he is able to sympathize with our weakness. He was tempted "in every respect" (vs 15). This means Jesus was tempted by money, by power, by women, by pride (it's kinda weird to think of it this way, right? Almost sounds wrong?). He is familiar with that battle and struggle, yet He did not sin-- not even once! I am glad that Jesus faced those temptation and triumphed.
(For my pastor/teacher friends who are reading this, please use this narrative as an illustration/example of how Jesus overcame temptation and walked in obedience to the Father. But don't use it solely for its moralistic implication-- point their eyes upward to the Great High Priest. Perhaps couple this with passages from the Pentateuch to reinforce the function of King/Priest. )
Since He understands our weaknesses, we can confidently draw near to the throne of grace. There, at His feet, awaits mercy and grace in time of need for those who desire to walk in obedience and holiness. It's not judgment and criticism, but mercy and grace for those who battle the Devil as Jesus did in the desert.
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