Why Was Jesus Tempted?
WHY WAS JESUS TEMPTED?
Sunday (2/05), gather with your church family as we continue our new series in the gospel according to Matthew (4:1-11). It is the first of four gospels that chronicle the birth, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the previous chapter (3:13-17), Jesus made His first public appearance by coming to John to be baptized. At first, “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me’” (3:14). But Jesus, in His firm and gentle manner, insisted that John baptize Him so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.
John relented and baptized the Lord, and as He came out of the water, John saw “The Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And, he heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (3:16-17). At that moment, Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to begin His mission of “seeking and saving those that were lost” (Lu 19:10).
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It would not be easy or comfortable. He would be alone. The Gospel of Mark records that Wild beasts would surround him. His appetite would disappear, for the temptation was a twenty-four-hour, around-the-clock, day and night, an excruciating trial that stretched on for forty straight days.
Afterward, Matthew writes that He was tired and hungry. Therefore, when Jesus was at His lowest point physically, “the tempter came” (4:3). Satan attempted to stumble Jesus with three final tests. And, if Jesus gave in, compromised, or quit, He would be disqualified as the One whose sacrifice would take away the sin of those who would place their faith in HIm. It was a face-to-face, the zero-sum drama between the Only-begotten Son of God and the devil. And the first of many attempts Satan used to cause Jesus to fail.
What Jesus said and did does serve as an example of how a believer can be victorious over temptation, but more than that, He proved once and for all that He and only He, by passing the test, can provide a way for man to be reconciled to God.
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Sunday (2/05), gather with your church family as we continue our new series in the gospel according to Matthew (4:1-11). It is the first of four gospels that chronicle the birth, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the previous chapter (3:13-17), Jesus made His first public appearance by coming to John to be baptized. At first, “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me’” (3:14). But Jesus, in His firm and gentle manner, insisted that John baptize Him so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.
John relented and baptized the Lord, and as He came out of the water, John saw “The Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And, he heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (3:16-17). At that moment, Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to begin His mission of “seeking and saving those that were lost” (Lu 19:10).
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It would not be easy or comfortable. He would be alone. The Gospel of Mark records that Wild beasts would surround him. His appetite would disappear, for the temptation was a twenty-four-hour, around-the-clock, day and night, an excruciating trial that stretched on for forty straight days.
Afterward, Matthew writes that He was tired and hungry. Therefore, when Jesus was at His lowest point physically, “the tempter came” (4:3). Satan attempted to stumble Jesus with three final tests. And, if Jesus gave in, compromised, or quit, He would be disqualified as the One whose sacrifice would take away the sin of those who would place their faith in HIm. It was a face-to-face, the zero-sum drama between the Only-begotten Son of God and the devil. And the first of many attempts Satan used to cause Jesus to fail.
What Jesus said and did does serve as an example of how a believer can be victorious over temptation, but more than that, He proved once and for all that He and only He, by passing the test, can provide a way for man to be reconciled to God.
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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