I was thinking about how when Jesus began his earthly ministry, before going public, it says that the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness. I was thinking about why and what the results were for being led into the wilderness. Some questions that run through my mind are: Was it even possible for Jesus to give in to Satan's temptations? Why would the Spirit lead Jesus into that situation? What lessons can be learned here?
The first question is the hardest to answer. Along with the partner question: If Jesus had given in to temptation, what would our world be like now? At least in theory, I think it is possible if you assume that Jesus was fully man as he was also fully God. But, Jesus had the benefit of seeing what happened to Adam when Adam and Eve sinned and seeing the consequences. It at least appears on the surface, that Satan was appealing to the same kinds of things, pride, lust, power, that Adam and Eve had given into.
The second question is why Jesus was led into this situation. Clearly, it is intentional and in preparation for the road ahead since it happens before Jesus begins preaching and healing. But, I also thought about the passage in Hebrews 5:8-9 where it says, "Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." Maybe it is just me, but I don't like the idea that Jesus had to learn anything, but right there in Hebrews it says he did. It makes me think that Jesus experienced new things in the incarnation, such as suffering and weakness, that he did not experience as a part of the Godhead before his earthly life.
Also, there is the issue of how he can now relate to us that suffer in a way that is unique. It is said that Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin. Since he knows what it is like to be pushed to the very limits of faith and has still been found pure, he knows what temptation is. He also knows the allure of temptation, that it can sometimes be found beautiful and rich. It sometimes appears to be the shortcut. What Satan offered Jesus was the shortcut. Satan in a sense said you can have the whole world, if you only bow to me. All the power without the pain. That is Satan's big lie. It is that sin doesn't have a consequences or at least he encourages us not to think about the consequences.
So, lessons learned from this passage. Perhaps that sin can be or appear appealing is the first one. That we are asked to do what we want and not to think about the consequences or who it hurts. We are asked to act selfishly and without thought. That impulsiveness and greed are at the center of sin. Also, that Satan's methods haven't changed much over the years. That Satan hasn't had to change because the old methods work just fine. That he appears to our natural hungers, pride and desire for power. In contrast to this, the apostle John tells us in 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
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