BATTLES AND BLESSING: JESUS MODEL

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” – Matthew 4:1

Jesus’ temptations attest to the reality of BATTLES and BLESSINGS in the Christian life. We can learn from how our Lord dealt with battles and blessings. Jesus’ ministry began at His baptism, with the blessing of the Holy Spirit who descended “like a dove and alighting upon Him” publicly announced His Son-ship (Mt.3:13-17). As so often happens after great spiritual encounters, battles immediately followed: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (v.1). Interestingly, the three powerful temptations tally with “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1Jh.2:15).

The first temptation was material in nature: instant gratification or “lust of the flesh.” Jesus was hungry, having fasted for forty days and forty nights (v.2). The devil intended to take advantage of this state of extreme hunger, and said: “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (v.3b). Jesus responded, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (v.4). Although “bread” or food is necessary, it is not enough on its own. Material things can never fully satisfy. There are many things that provide instant gratification, which leave us feeling hollow afterwards. Our deepest spiritual hunger can only be satisfied by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (v.4).

The second rung of the battle was religious in nature: attention-seeking “pride of life.” The devil tempted Jesus to throw Himself off the highest point of the temple. Among other things, this was a temptation to do something dramatic – though not productive – to attract attention. The devil goaded Jesus by quoting a verse from Psalm 91 – out of context. Jesus countered with a verse in context: “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (v.7).

The third leg of the battle was political in character: to use a wrong means of satisfying the “lust of the eyes.” The devil showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” and offered them, ‘if You will fall down and worship me” (vv.8-9). The aim of this was for Jesus to be dissatisfied with God and to engage in dishonest manipulation to achieve His ends by the wrong means. Jesus retorted: “Away with you, Satan!” He buttressed His rebuke with a third quotation: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (v.10).

To each temptation Jesus responded with a verse from within chapters 6-8 of Deuteronomy. Perhaps He had been studying these chapters at that time. In like manner, we must be occupied with studying God’s Word, and deepening our relationship with Him. This protects us against the devil’s deception, and equips us to resist temptation when it comes and emerge victorious in life’s battles. At the end of these battles, the devil departed, and Jesus enjoyed the blessing of angels who “came and ministered to Him” (v.11a). However, Satan only “departed from Him until an opportune time” (Lk.4:13b). The tempter left only “for a season”!

The period of reprieve did not last long: soon after “Jesus heard that John had been put in prison” (v.12). It must have been devastating to find out that His cousin, who had recently conducted His water baptism, was imprisoned in the course of his preaching. But Jesus was not daunted. He took the baton and began to preach the very message that had caused John’s arrest: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v.17). What an Example of fearlessness and courage in the face of battles. Life is not just a matter of defensively warding off attacks; there are also positive advances to make. Jesus was on a divine mission. He began to build His team by calling His first disciples (vv.19–20). We do well to follow His Model in battle and blessing, learning to use His Word – the Sword of the Spirit – and the shield of faith, “to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph.6:16b).