“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted”
Matt 4:1.
This verse emphasizes the importance of the temptation in preparing Jesus for His mission. The Spirit of God specifically led Christ into the wilderness “to be tempted.”
Why was the temptation so important in Jesus’ life? Because soon he would begin to preach, presenting not only the kingdom, but Himself as King. And as King, Christ must be Victor – not merely over the puny powers of nature or Satan, but over the pull of His human nature. Adam and Eve were unable to resist temptation and all mankind fell. Christ now had to triumph over temptation and in triumphing qualify Himself to lift all mankind up again.
Our temptations seem insignificant beside His: no cosmic issues are at stake. Yet Jesus’ temptation does put ours in a special light. Temptations are not “bad.” Nor are they intended to trip us up. God permits us to be tested, and sometimes even brings tests our way, in order that we might triumph over them. Each test passed victoriously strengthens us for the productive life God intends us to lead.
“Man does not live on bread alone”
Matt 4:2-4.
Medical science has shown that after 30 to 40 days of fasting, hunger, which disappears the second or third day, returns. All the body’s stored resources have been used, and the return of hunger is a sign that the body must have food again.
Jesus had fasted 40 days and “was hungry” when Satan approached our Lord and challenged Him to turn stones into bread. After all, as Satan suggested, that would be a minor miracle for the Son of God to perform!
Jesus answered by quoting a passage in Deuteronomy: “Man does not live on bread alone.” Perhaps the most important word here is “man.”
Think about it. Jesus did not respond to temptation by calling on His resources as Son of God, but instead met each one as “man.” If Christ had met temptation by drawing on His deity, there would be no help for us in His example. But since Jesus met temptation as a man, using no more resources than are available to any human being, you and I have hope! We too can overcome our temptations. We can follow Jesus’ example, draw on the resources He used, and triumph!
This first temptation was directed against Jesus’ physical nature. He was hungry. He wanted bread. Why not make bread? Christ quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, which calls on man to live by the Word of God.
The point of Christ’s response is this: human beings are physical creatures. But we are more than animals. We have a spiritual nature that is to control the physical. God’s will, not our physical needs or desires, is to govern our choices.
Today many people argue that if you want something, take it. If you feel an urge for sex, satisfy it. After all, it’s “natural.” Yes, it’s natural for animals to satisfy their desires. But because we are more than animals, it is not “natural” for man to be driven by physical hungers. We are spiritual beings, and what is right and natural for us is to be driven by the living Word of our God.
