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

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The concept of temptation is a significant theme in the Bible, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospels provide a detailed account of how Jesus endured temptation, specifically from the wicked, as part of His earthly mission. This entry explores the nature and significance of these temptations, emphasizing their role in demonstrating Christ's sinlessness and His victory over evil.

The Temptation in the Wilderness

One of the most notable accounts of Christ enduring temptation is found in the Synoptic Gospels, where Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This event occurs immediately after His baptism, marking the beginning of His public ministry. The Gospel of Matthew provides a detailed narrative:

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, 'If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' But Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."' Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 'If You are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw Yourself down. For it is written: "He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone."' Jesus replied, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."' Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 'All this I will give You,' he said, 'if You will fall down and worship me.' 'Away from me, Satan!' Jesus declared. 'For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only."' Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him." (Matthew 4:1-11)

Nature of the Temptations

The temptations faced by Christ in the wilderness can be categorized into three distinct challenges:

1. Physical Need: The first temptation targets Jesus' physical hunger after a prolonged fast. The devil tempts Him to use His divine power to satisfy His immediate need, challenging His reliance on God's provision.

2. Pride and Presumption: The second temptation involves a test of Jesus' trust in God. By urging Jesus to throw Himself from the temple's pinnacle, the devil seeks to incite a presumptuous act that would force God to intervene miraculously.

3. Power and Authority: The final temptation offers Jesus worldly power and glory in exchange for worshiping Satan. This temptation directly challenges Jesus' mission and allegiance to God the Father.

Significance of Christ's Victory

Christ's triumph over these temptations is pivotal for several reasons:

· Affirmation of Sinlessness: By resisting the devil's enticements, Jesus affirms His sinless nature, qualifying Him as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins.

· Model of Obedience: Jesus' responses to each temptation highlight His unwavering obedience to God's Word, serving as a model for believers in resisting temptation.

· Defeat of Satan: The victory in the wilderness foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over Satan through His death and resurrection, establishing His authority over evil.

Further Temptations

Throughout His ministry, Jesus continued to face temptations from various sources, including religious leaders and even His own disciples. For instance, Peter's rebuke of Jesus' prediction of His suffering and death is met with a stern response: "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:23). This incident underscores the persistent nature of temptation and Jesus' steadfast commitment to His divine mission.

Conclusion

The temptations endured by Christ from the wicked are integral to understanding His role as the sinless Savior. His victory over these trials not only affirms His divine nature but also provides believers with a powerful example of faithfulness and reliance on God's Word in the face of temptation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 16:1
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 22:18
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt you me, you hypocrites?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 10:25
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... without feeling of hunger, might have endured the whole ... Some judge that Satan tempted
Christ to gluttony, but ... therefore I doubt not but the temptation was more ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Imitation of Christ
... are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ. ... XXXV That there is no security
against temptation in this ... That all troubles are to be endured for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

Christ.
... Christ died and endured the wages of sin, and that ... to fetch fire out of the offices
of Christ to burn ... ireful a countenance, that a man in temptation and under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vii christ.htm

The Temptation of Jesus
... his forty days' fast; Jesus was assailed for forty days and endured the trial ... really
under these three forms, and it constituted a real Temptation to Christ. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the temptation of.htm

Following Christ
... If there were no temptation from without, you are ... will not, under any difficulties,
turn aside from Christ. ... These are they that overcame; they endured unto the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/following christ.htm

Concerning Persecution
... As it is in sin, a wicked man learns to be expert in ... He will with the temptation
make a way to escape' (1 Corinthians ... Consider what Jesus Christ endured for us ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.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

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... the soul from sins must be endured; for to ... to present the prayers of saints, and
Christ makes intercession ... from us; He hath called us from temptation; He bears ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.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

The Coming of a Deliverer
... into the bosom of the Sinless; yet while Christ endured the contradiction of ... Could
Satan have induced Christ to yield to a single temptation, could he ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm