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Jesus' Temptation (Lk. 4:1-13)

'Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time (Lk. 4:1-13).”

Whether this was an actual event or not cannot be confirmed as Jesus himself used apocalyptic images to explain to his disciples some of the trials they may experience.  Luke uses this passage to show that Jesus is the model for how all Christians should deal with temptation and hardship.  They must have faith that God will deliver them.

The Spirit led Jesus into the desert not into temptation, and it was the Spirit that sustained him through the temptation.  In the Bible, 40 represents a significant or sufficient period of time Jesus spent in the desert.  The devil is the same accuser as in Job chapters 1 & 2.  Jesus himself fasted in humble subservience to the will of an omnipotent God who sustained him in his ministry through the Holy Spirit.  The accuser referred to Jesus as the ‘Son of God’ and using Scripture tempted him three times – with food as he was hungry, with earthly power and glory, and by encouraging him to put God to the test.  Jesus’ responses to the accuser were all from the OT (Deut. 8:3, 6:13, 16).  The accuser and his minions continued to try to derail Jesus’ ministry all the way to Jerusalem where it appeared as if the forces of evil had won when Jesus was crucified.  

Almighty God, help us to accept the gift of faith you offer us and to believe in all that your son did and taught.  Send your Spirit upon us that we may truly trust you will deliver us from all evil and to be subservient to your will in humble obedience.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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