The Gospel of Luke – Jesus is for everyone: Jesus tempted like us

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was the Son of Man and the Son of God.

Jesus experienced powerful and real temptations and struggled to overcome them (Hebrews 4:15), but He gained the victory over His temptations and He can help us to gain victory over ours.

Jesus was not tempted because He was in the wrong place. He was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and not the devil. God does not tempt us, but He does test us to see if our faith is strong. Being tempted is not a sin. Sin is giving into temptation.

Temptation and sin are powerful. Temptation is a powerful force in our lives. Sometimes we do not realise we are being tempted. Temptation leads to addiction and devastation in our lives. Temptation and uncontrolled cravings destroy our lives. Temptations can be anything that grips our lives.

How can we overcome temptation? How dis Jesus overcome it?

• Jesus’ first temptation was to be independent of God – “If you are the Son of God …….” The devil tempted Jesus to use His power to fill His need. He tempted Jesus to want it NOW. Jesus re-asserted His dependence on God. He depended on God and His Word to fulfill His needs. Temptation does not satisfy, it only leads to more temptation. We will always want more. Satisfaction only comes from God. The devil knows your weaknesses and tailors your temptations to those weaknesses. Resist the temptation to be independent.
• Jesus’ second temptation for the quick and easy option – Jesus knew He was God’s Messiah. He knew He would have to die on the cross. How tempting it must have been for Jesus to take the easy option? God does not offer short cuts. Easy options always lead to dead ends. Do not be tempted by false promises.
• Jesus’ third temptation was to test God – Many people think they would never test God, but many people do. Many want God to prove His existence, but then will not accept the proof. God does not promise to do what we want, He promise to do His will. The devil encourages to doubt God. Only Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Don’t be tempted to be independent of God, don’t choose the quick and easy options and don’t test God; rather believe in Him,  trust in Him, have faith in Him, worship Him, serve Him and follow Him.