Topical Bible: Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Devil

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Topical Encyclopedia

The temptation of Christ is a significant event recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, faced direct temptation from the devil. This event underscores the humanity of Christ and His role as the second Adam, who succeeded where the first Adam failed. The account is primarily found in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13.

Context and Setting

Following His baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This period of temptation lasted forty days and nights, during which Jesus fasted, highlighting His physical vulnerability and dependence on God. The wilderness setting is reminiscent of Israel's own testing in the desert, drawing a parallel between Jesus as the true Israel who remains faithful to God.

The Three Temptations

1. Turning Stones to Bread: The first temptation addressed Jesus' physical hunger. The devil challenged Him, saying, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" (Matthew 4:3). Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). This response emphasized reliance on God's provision and the spiritual sustenance found in His Word.

2. Testing God’s Protection: The second temptation involved the devil taking Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, urging Him to throw Himself down, citing Psalm 91:11-12 as assurance of divine protection. Jesus countered with Deuteronomy 6:16, "Do not test the Lord your God" (Matthew 4:7). Here, Jesus rejected the misuse of Scripture and the presumption of testing God's faithfulness.

3. Offering Worldly Power: In the final temptation, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, offering them in exchange for worship. Jesus firmly rebuked him, declaring, "Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only'" (Matthew 4:10). This response reaffirmed the exclusive worship and service due to God alone, rejecting any compromise with evil for worldly gain.

Significance

The temptation of Christ is pivotal in demonstrating His sinlessness and perfect obedience to the Father. Unlike Adam, who succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden, Jesus remained steadfast, fulfilling His role as the obedient Son and the representative of humanity. His victory over temptation is foundational for His redemptive work, as it prefigures His ultimate triumph over sin and death through the cross and resurrection.

Theological Implications

Christ's endurance of temptation affirms His dual nature as fully God and fully man. His ability to resist the devil's enticements highlights His moral perfection and divine authority. This event also serves as an example for believers, illustrating the power of Scripture and reliance on God in overcoming temptation. As Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

Conclusion

The temptation of Christ is a profound testament to His unwavering commitment to the Father's will and His role as the Savior of humanity. Through His victory, believers are assured of His empathy and support in their own struggles against temptation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 1:13
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... The time of Christ's temptation is here most diligently to be ... The Spirit of God,
I say, led Christ to the place of His battle, where He endured the combat ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Of Resisting Temptation
Imitation of Christ. ... All Saints have passed through much tribulation and temptation,
and have ... And they who endured not temptation became reprobate and fell away ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xiii of resisting temptation.htm

The Temptation of Jesus
... as the suggestions of Satan, and the Temptation of Christ ... Thus the Messiah of Judaism
is the Anti-Christ of the ... was assailed for forty days and endured the trial ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the temptation of.htm

They who have Committed a "Sin unto Death" are not to be Abandoned ...
... be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ... he is seeking to overthrow by temptation
stronger instead ... his whole body covered with sores, endured indeed the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiii they who have.htm

Christ's Flesh Perfectly Natural, Like Our Own None of the ...
... sufferings and the very contumely He endured bespeak it ... his little finger, the body
of Christ, if it ... He hungered under the devil's temptation; He thirsted with ...
/.../ on the flesh of christ/chapter ix christs flesh perfectly natural.htm

The victory
... Christ's victory was as complete as had been the failure ... So we may resist temptation,
and force Satan to depart ... He had endured the test, greater than we shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 13 the victory.htm

Christ.
... us down therein by his own Spirit in the holy word; "for," said he, "if you do
otherwise, when temptation comes strongly ... Christ died and endured the wages ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vii christ.htm

Sermon.
... world found nothing in him, upon which he could fasten his temptation. ... Is it the
high calling in Christ? ... for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross ...
/.../penn/a sermon preached at the quakers meeting house/sermon.htm

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to ...
... us and who perverted the commands of Jesus Christ. ... who have done good and patiently
endured tortures and ... a grave sinner, and have not yet escaped temptation. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/an anonymous sermon commonly called 2.htm

On the Misery of Human Life.
... Thou commandest them to be endured, not to be loved. ... iv. Christ's Temptation, serm.
107), "for us to challenge and provoke a temptation, but to arm and prepare ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxviii on the misery of.htm