Temptation

Temptation: The Peak of Pressure
Matthew 4:1-11

The Bible states that after Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness in order to face temptation by the Devil. God directed that His own Son endure temptation.

But why? Was this just for show, or was it real? Jesus had just identified with fallen humanity by submitting to baptism even though He didn’t need it—He was sinless. But He symbolically placed Himself in the category of humans so that He as Savior would identify with the world He came to save.

Then Jesus fasted 40 days and nights in the desert, and there the Lord met with temptation. God allowed His Son this time of temptation—and Jesus willingly submitted—so that He could identify with our struggles, trials, and temptations. Jesus knows what it’s like when we struggle with enticement. And, praise the Lord, He remained without fault where so many of us stumble.

We have a High Priest who sympathizes with us because He’s been “through the fire.” He intercedes on our behalf within the context of having endured the very same temptations and salvos. His temptation in the wilderness—as well as in the many other unrecorded times that He undoubtedly battled Satan—gives credence to the fact that He understands what His children encounter. He is fully God and, at the same time, fully man, who willingly identified with us. Don’t hesitate to bring your greatest struggles to Him—He truly understands.

- In Touch Ministries -