BEN F. VICK, JR.
Based on last week’s article, “The Temptations of Jesus,” someone might ask: Why was Jesus even tempted? This question is worth our consideration. Perhaps the readers might think of other reasons for our Savior’s having been tempted than the ones I give.
We should note that immediately following our Lord’s baptism, he was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It was necessary for Jesus to be tempted. Often when we are on what might be called a spiritual high, for lack of a better expression, maybe the time when we are most vulnerable. Jesus had been baptized. He received the approval of his heavenly Father. But immediately, he was led to be tempted, not by God, but by the devil.
Jesus was tempted because he was a man. Yes, he was God, but he was also a man. A body was prepared for him (Psa. 40:6; Heb. 10:5). He was made a partaker of flesh and blood (Heb. 2:14). In all things it became necessary for him to be made like unto his brethren (Heb. 2:17). Paul wrote, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13.) Again, James, by inspiration, penned, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:13-15.) Since all men are tempted, and since Jesus was a man, then he too was tempted.
Our Lord was tempted to set an example for us. Peter wrote, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1 Pet. 2:21.) Jesus is the standard. He has shown us that if he can refrain from yielding to temptations, so can we. Sometimes when we have a difficult task, it helps to know that others have accomplished it before us.
By Jesus’ having set an example for us, he showed us how to meet the temptations which are common to man. Each time he answered the tempter with “It is written.” Jesus quoted Scripture. As Alexander Campbell wrote in his initial Millennial Harbinger, “…the Prince of Peace never sheathed the sword of the Spirit while he lived. He drew it on the banks of the Jordan and threw the scabbard away.” The Psalmist wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11.) John penned these words: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1.) The Greek word translated “it is written” is perfect, passive indicative, which means it has been written and stands written. It is still in force. It has been written; it stands written; it will remain written. We can defeat the devil with the word of God; Jesus did, and so can we.
Paul wrote, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim.2:5.) A mediator is a go-between. He represents both parties at odds with each other. As man, Jesus understands us; as God, he represents deity. No one else qualifies to mediate for us, not Mary, the mother of Jesus, not angels, not saints long gone. No one can say now or at the final judgment: Well, you do not understand my situation. You have not been tempted, as was I. But Jesus understands what it is like to be tempted. The writer of Hebrews says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15.) Being tempted is not a sin but yielding to temptation is a sin. Jesus never lost to the devil. What a marvelous Mediator!
Not only is Jesus Christ the perfect mediator, but he is also, because of his suffering, the author of eternal salvation. We are told of Christ “who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Heb. 5:7-9.) As recorded, our Lord’s temptations were immediately following his baptism and throughout his ministry. His perfect obedience qualified him to be the author of eternal salvation, not to all, but to all who obey him.
Reading of our Lord’s temptations immediately following his baptism and onward, we are reminded that the devil is relentless. He is persistent. He does not quit. It should be noticed that the devil tempted Jesus the entire forty days in the wilderness. Mark’s account reads, “And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan….” (Mark 1:13.) Luke records of Jesus, “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil….” (Luke 4:1-2)
The devil may retreat, but sometimes he comes back with reinforcements. Luke also tells us, “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” (Luke 4:13.) We cannot let our guard down. Peter warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Pet.5:8)
Are we not thankful that Jesus did not yield to the devil’s temptations? Let us pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Then, with the sword of the Spirit, let us look for that way of escape.