“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”
Mark 1:12-13 NIV
The wilderness temptation account is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Mark offers only two verses as a summary of the account, while Matthew and Luke give greater detail.
Several things stand out.
1. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into this experience.
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”
Luke 4:1 NIV
There was a purpose behind this experience, something the Father wanted to accomplish, definite intentionality.
2. Jesus had physical needs. He was hungry.
“where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
Luke 4:2 NIV
It’s interesting. Luke says that at the end of the 40 days, Jesus was hungry. I wonder, was He not hungry throughout the 40 days? Did His hunger only return as He prepared to break His fast? Had Jesus intended all along to fast for 40 days, or was that just how long the fast lasted before the temptation was finished?
If Jesus’ hunger only returned as He was preparing to break His fast, this is not that unusual. When fasting, the hunger pains are strongest in the first 48-72 hours, and then after that, the body adjusts. Perhaps Jesus was so focused on the Father, so enjoying His time alone with the Father, so in tune with the Spirit, that He didn’t even think about food. When you’re in the desert and food is nowhere near you, nowhere in sight, it’s easier not to think about it.
3. Jesus wasn’t only tempted at the end of the 40 days. He was tempted throughout.
“where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
Luke 4:2 NIV
The three specific temptations we read of were not the only temptations, but rather the culmination of the temptations. I wonder if they were increasing in intensity throughout that time?
4. The temptation did not end after the 40 days were over.
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”
Luke 4:13 NIV
The devil stopped tempting Jesus, but only temporarily. He was looking for another opportunity. He would strike again.
5. Jesus battled the devil and temptation with the Spirit, the Word, and prayer.
Full of the Spirit…
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”
Luke 4:1 NIV
The Word of God…
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ””
Luke 4:4 NIV (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Prayer…
(This is assumed since prayer always accompanied fasting)
6. The devil challenged Jesus’ identity.
“The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.””
Matthew 4:3 NIV
Jesus’ Deity was challenged…
“If you are the Son of God…” The Father had just audibly spoken, “You are My Son.” Satan was challenging that truth.
Jesus’ humanity was challenged…
“Tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus was being challenged to pick back up His “equality with the Father” that He had willingly chosen not to cling to (Philippians 2). If He yielded to this temptation, He would have been operating out of His deity rather than His humanity, He would have not been like us (Hebrews 2), and He would have forfeited His right to be our High Priest. The Father’s plan would have been ambushed and abandoned.
7. The Father sent angels to care for Jesus.
“Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
Matthew 4:11 NIV
“and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”
Mark 1:13 NIV
I wonder how the angels attended Him? Does this mean they stood by to protect Jesus from further demonic attack? They were His guards? Does this mean they brought Him food and drink, helping to restore His physical strength? They were His servants, or His care givers?
Jesus’ wilderness experience was the launching point for His public ministry, His final preparation. The Father said “It’s Go Time” (Baptism), and then said, “But first…”
This blogpost originally appeared at: Are temptation and preparation linked in a leader’s life? – Sonlife and is based on Knowing Him / 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 7
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