prepare for battle before it begins
(i wrote this about 3 years ago. i felt it was appropriate considering the context of previous posts).
Read Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13
The Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus at His baptism was not an arbitrary event. The divine event marked the start of a life of dependence. We could spend the words discussing the humanity of God and the role of the Spirit in this regard; however, at this time we will be satisfied with this one principle: Jesus immediately demonstrated the human life in complete submission to God
under the control of the Holy Spirit. He did not wander about letting life happen as He tried to discover where He could fit in. Rather, the divine work in humanity was happening to Him from the moment He was compelled to return from Jordan (Lk).
Think about this: does “return from the Jordan” mean that He had once already been in the wilderness on His way to be baptized? If so, note: nothing significant happened between Galilee and the Jordan. In fact, nothing “noteworthy” happened at all until the Holy Spirit came upon
Him.
His temptation lasted at least forty days. Luke notes that “when those days ended He became hungy.” After this moment, the writers record a significant conversation, with the exception of Mk and Jn. Mt and Lk indicate the fact that here He was vulnerable. The tempter was there and had been there.
A thoughtless glance at His circumstance may lead one to say that God led Jesus astray, throwing Him into the temptations of the devil. Or, one may say that Jesus got lost or ask “how can the Spirit lead any person to the brink of sin?” I suppose that is just it--humanly speaking, to be tempted is not to sin. To follow the temptation and succumb to it is. Temptation points toward
sin. So how is this event “temptation” for Jesus? What does this mean?
First, one must remember that Jesus the man is God, living a fully human life. We don’t know the many things He faced in those forty days, but it must have been temptation in relation to His very being. Second, we must remember that God was in control of the situation--Jesus was led to this
place.
One principles we would glean from this passage: be aware. Be aware of the Spirit’s leading, be aware of your surroundings and be aware of the outcome. If we are following the Spirit’s leading, we do not enter some euphoric state and blindly enter situations over which there is no control. Jesus was in the wilderness and knew there was no provision for His body there--and it would
remain that way.
Satan attacks us at our most weakest spot. What benefit has any enemy to attack a strong point? I think of some of the ancient strongholds of the Vikings and Celts--they forced the enemy to make attacks at the strong parts of their fortresses while they defended the weak points with moats, pits and strategically placed weapons.
We must remember that our battle is not fleshly but spiritual. Deception can divert our attention and leave the weak spots unattended. We cannot prepare for the battle once it has begun.
Jesus could easily have turned the stones to bread and nourished his body, but the temptation was just this: Jesus was obeying the Holy Spirit to fulfill the will of God as and in humanity. The suggestion came from outside God’s will, outside His purpose. He would not utilize divine power for self-gratification. God did not want His power to be used at the suggestion of the enemy. Who does God obey? God cannot be enticed to use His power--He must will it!
Examining the rest of this passage, Mt notes that Satan took Jesus other places. These events will not be examined here but consider the scripture in light of what has been discussed already. The point is this: no matter what Satan did, Jesus was fully aware of the Spirit’s leading, where He was physically and spiritually and had His sight looking ahead to the outcome. Jesus commanded Satan and he did--this is the only divine power seen to be exercised on the part of Jesus--Satan could not disobey His authority!
