WEEK TWO
TEMPTATION OF JESUS CHRIST
a. Meaning of Temptation
Temptation may be defined as pressure applied to your mind with the aim to create wrong emotions which will eventually lead to wrong actions. It may also be described as a tactical act of making someone to do something that is wrong.
b. Synoptic account of Temptation of Jesus Christ
(Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
The Temptation of Jesus according to Matthew’s account – Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights so he was hungry. Then the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
The devil took him to the holy city, set him on pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give his angels charge of you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said answered him again saying, “It is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
Thirdly, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Then he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Then the devil left him and angels came and ministered to him.
The Temptation of Jesus according to Mark’s account – Mark 1:12-13
Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Spirit. He was there with the wild beast for forty days and was tempted by Satan. Afterwards angels ministered to Him.
The Temptation of Jesus according to Luke 4:1-13
When Jesus returned from Jordan, He was full of the Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit led him into the wilderness where he was for forty days. He ate nothing for those forty days. There the devil tempted him. At the end of the forty days, he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
The devil took him up, showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours.” Jesus answered him and said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
Finally he took Jesus to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. There he told him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, ‘He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” But Jesus answered him saying, “It is said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
It was then the devil departed from him having ended the temptation.
c. Significance of each of the three Temptations
Each of the temptation has its own significance.
(i) Turning stone to bread – This test Jesus’ ability not to be controlled by food. A lot of people allow what to eat to determine what they do. Jesus said, you shall not live by bread but you should make up your mind only to please God.
(ii) Jumping down from the pinnacle of the temple – This shows that we are not in this world to show off or to test the powers God has given us. It is not right to think that because you are a child of God, you can just do anything and get away with it parading the grace of God in your life. That will amount to testing God.
(iii) Bowing down to worship the devil – This shows that we should not exercise love for material things of the world because they are vain glory. The real wealth we have in life can only be got from God.
d. (i) Temptations in the world today
Many people are tempted today. Many do the wrong things because they are hungry. Some have become prostitutes, some tell lies and some have compromised their faith in this same way.
Secondly, a lot of people say, if I am a child of God, let something happen. A lot of people believed that since they are children of God, they can do and get away with things or be treated special more than anyone else.
Finally, a lot of people have sold their hearts out to the devil. Many have gone into cyber crime, join different cults and do some imaginable things by dedicating their hearts to the devil all because they want to live ‘big’.
(ii) Ways of overcoming temptation of sin today
(a) The only way of overcoming temptation is by dedicating your hearts to God. Make up your mind to only please God and not please yourself or make yourself feel too important.
(b) Do not be carried away by what other people has. Be contented with what you have and where you are and hope that at God’s time, He will make you what He wants you to be.
(c) Do not let hunger lead you to do things that are unworthy. Plan your life today so that your tomorrow will not be plagued by failures and regrets.
(iii) Means Jesus used to overcome the three temptations
Jesus overcame the three temptations because;
(a) He knows the word of God well
(b) He has dedicated His life to please God alone
(c) He is humble and not self-conceited. He does not see himself better than other people
Unprecedented 