Friday, March 12

Throughout this week we have been examining different aspects of the story of the temptation of Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and Luke in order to learn how we should handle temptations in our own lives. Look closely at how the story in Luke’s gospel ends.

Luke 4:13 – And when the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

That is interesting isn’t it? Apparently the devil was not yet done trying to tempt Jesus. Sometimes Christians make the mistake of thinking that they should eventually grow out of temptation when they reach a certain maturity level. I have talked with Christians who become terribly depressed and even doubt their own faith when a particular temptation (which they thought they were beyond) returns to plague them. It should encourage you to know that Jesus himself, while He lived on this earth, was not beyond the repeated temptation to veer off of the path God had set for Him.

Look back at Luke 4:13 again…what was the opportune time that Satan was waiting for in order to tempt Jesus again?

In Matthew 16, Jesus predicted His own death to His disciples. Peter got really upset about this and told Jesus that he would never let this happen and that Jesus shouldn’t talk that way. In Matthew16:23 we read; Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

But the greatest temptation of all for our Lord has to have been His great struggle in the garden of Gethsemane. The gospel accounts of this struggle (Matt. 26, Mark14 & Luke 22) do not mention the devil being there tempting Jesus, but it is clear that He was battling the temptation not to go through with what awaited Him at the cross the next day. So strong was this temptation for Jesus that He was actually pleading with God to take it away from Him!

On one hand it may be a bit discouraging to realize that we never completely grow out of or beyond temptation. But on the other hand, isn’t it a great comfort and source of strength to know that your Savior also faced repeated temptations to find some out of or around what God wanted Him to do!?

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-16

Do you believe that Jesus is really ale to sympathize with your weaknesses?

Where in your life do you need to receive His mercy & grace?

Do you have this confidence to approach His throne of Grace?

Take a few moments to thank & praise God for your great high priest – Jesus!

Jeff Frazier