Temptation of Christ

January 19, 2014

Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13

The accounts of Matthew and Luke vary in the temptation of Christ: There were more than the three temptations mentioned (Luke 4:2).

Matthew records the temptations in historical order. Luke records them in theological order based on 1 John 2:16: “Lust of the flesh (vs. 3-4), the lust of the eyes (vs. 5-8), and the pride of life” (vs. 9-12). [Cf. Gen. 3:1-6].

Parallel of the tempting of the First and Second Adam:

Adam was tempted in a beautiful garden with plenty of food. Jesus was tempted in a barren wilderness without any food.
Adam tempted with a companion. Jesus was tempted alone.
Adam was tempted in a perfect environment. Jesus was tempted in an adverse environment.

Christ’s victory in the wilderness proves a person cannot blame his sin on his environment, or on his company.

WHY WAS JESUS TEMPTED? Jesus was “led by the Spirit” to be tempted to prove His unquestioned eternal right He already had as Israel’s Messiah, the King.

Because we need a High Priest who knows how we feel— For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).
Because we need One who can help us in our temptations—Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren… For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. (Heb. 2:17-18).

COULD JESUS SIN?

Some teach it would be impossible for Jesus to sin since He is God and “God cannot be tempted with evil” (James 1:13). But if He could not sin, what was the point in the temptation—Would it have been a real test?

On the other hand, if Jesus could sin, then what becomes of His deity?

The answer lies in the consideration of three things:

1) Two kinds of temptation: (1) A test, like that of Abraham (Gen. 22). (2) An enticement to do evil. The temptation of Christ would be a test. The temptation was to prove Christ’s holy character, not pollute it.

2) Christ’s two-fold nature. He is all God and all Man all at the same time—The God-Man. As God, He could not sin, but as Man He could be tempted to sin, yet He choose not to sin. “His deity trumped His humanity.” [NOTE: Dr. Dave Reese points out: “The whole matter of Christ’s unique temptation cannot be applied DOCTRINALLY to our temptations. Due to Christ’s incarnation, His humanity cannot be completely equal or totally encompass ours.”]

3) The doctrine of “peccability”—This doctrine deals with when the sin actually occurs. Five steps involved in the sin process:

Presentation—A person is presented with the object of temptation
Perception—He is illuminated whether it is right or wrong.
Pondering—He considers whether or not he should do it (Will I get caught? What are the consequences? Is it worth the risk?)
Persuasion—He decides refuse or proceed.
Performance—He commits the act.

Where in these steps does sin occur? Temptation is in the first two steps. Sin actually begins in the heart of man before the act of sin is committed outwardly (Mt. 5:28; 1 John 3:15). Sin occurs when a person begins to ponder the pros and cons of what is being offered. As soon as a man knows what is being offered is wrong, there should be NO pondering!

In the case of Christ’s temptation, the process never went past the first step. Jesus needed no illumination as to the wiles of the devil. He quickly refused each of Satan’s temptations by answering, “It is written…”

Three theologians debated “Could Jesus Sin?”
1. One said, “Jesus was not able to sin.”
2. Another said, “Jesus was able to sin.”
3. The third said, “Jesus was able not to sin.” Amen!

I. The TIMING. When did the temptation take place?

“And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan…” (Mk. 1:12-13).

At the point of PLEASING God. Jesus was just baptized… anointed with the Spirit… and approved of God the Father, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

After the baptism in the water came the battle in the wilderness.

After the dove came the devil.

After the approval of heaven came the assault of hell.