The Temptation of Christ
I think this commentary best summarises the section about the temptation of Christ.
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith in
that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches,
honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it
still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he
was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Ge 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
Jesus' Ministry
This chapter of Jesus' journey according to Luke reveals an overview of his ministry. Jesus's teaching evoked both wonder and rejection. He reads off Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue at Nazareth to proclaim who he was, the Son of God sent to be with God's chosen people. And as with the prophets of old, He too was rejected by his hometown. He continued his teachings and healings outside of Nazareth. The healings and exorcisms that Jesus performed showed his power over evil and diseases. It showed his authority over all, including the evil and maladies that plagued the earth. His ministry/ message is to be shared to all and not just in an isolated corner, as Jesus did his teachings at other synagogues in Galilee.
4 comments:
I think the first time I read this passage I was discouraged knowing that Jesus' first ministry after getting baptized and fasting and praying for 40 days, was a battle with the devil. That to me, would be the equivalent of accepting Jesus and getting baptized, and then have the devil attack me when I'm on a spiritual high. But now I am aware of it and I understand the precautions I must take.
For my application, I don't want to be bounded by physical food with 3 square meals each day. I need to know my Bible. And earthly desires like power... man, they are so real. Or even being a show off.
I think Satan is so clever when he tempts us. When I look at the temptation of Jesus, I think Satan is tempting the 3 different aspects of Jesus's being (as he does with us): his physical body, his mind, and his spirit.
His first temptation for Jesus was targeted at his physical body, trying to persuade Jesus to feed himself, rather than relying on the Father for strength. And so he tempts us all the time, telling us that we need to do certain things in order to survive. And he is so sneaky, because things like feeding our physical body in and out of itself is not a bad thing, but over-reliance on it, or putting it ahead of our spirit is.
His second temptation was targeted at the mind, the desires/wants of man. Be it power, status, money, popularity, or something else, everyone has their own desires, and Satan definitely uses it against us, filling out minds with that desire, making it all that we can see.
His last temptation was targeted at the spirit, twisting the truth, trying to make Jesus doubt or go against the Father. Like any experienced army general, he's also studied the opposition, and he has had a long time to do it. If we do not root ourselves in the truth, and constantly seek the guidance of the Spirit, it is so easy to get led astray. Satan will not often tell us direct lies, half truths are much harder to detect, and much more dangerous.
Interesting post...
A few things stood out for me..
i) Satan uses God's Word to tempt Jesus. As the Scripture is God's breathe, Satan is able to twist it in such a way to tempt Jesus.
ii) Those who receive Jesus and those who didn't.
Right after the temptation, Jesus started his ministry in His hometown (Nazareth). When He preached there, the people hated him and want to throw him off the cliff.
Ironically, when He went to Capernaum to preach and heal, He was welcomed.
I found the part where Jesus read from the scroll the prophecy about Himself really cool. Imagine that... you read something that was written about you, centuries before it actually happens!
I found it interesting also that it was actually Jesus who provoked an unfavorable reaction in Nazareth. They spoke well of Him until He insulted them. Makes me think... sometimes God tells us things that we don't like to hear, but need to hear. And what is our reaction? Do we get angry at God or reflect and repent?
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