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| What Tempted Jesus? Not Women! |
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The Last Temptation of Christ, a book (1951 by Kikos Bazantzakis) made into a movie (1988 by Martin Scorcese), puts forth the idea that Jesus was tempted "to have the normal life of a good man". That, would be a thinking man's thought but scripture tells us the true motivations and I would like to discuss it with you.
I don't believe that I have read this anywhere, this is an original thought, but I will not be surprised that Christian writers are way ahead of me!
First, consider that the temptations of Christ in Matthew 4, were premeditated. Satan must have already gotten an okay about "sifting Jesus" like he had done with Peter and Job.. So Matt. 4 starts, "the (Holy) Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil..."
Now, either, Satan proceeds to use his own best guess as to best tempt God's Son or maybe Satan will use what he has seen Jesus do, either way here are the
3 Temptations:
1. turn the stones into bread. Jesus was experiencing hunger himself, so you can see where Jesus would be tempted to turn rocks into bread, there are enough rocks in the entire world so that if they were bread, no person in history, would ever go hungry. What a great thing to do for us...but no...Jesus doesn't take Satan up on that...instead He replies, "Man shall not live by bread alone..but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God! Jesus here, quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, after the Israelites had learned their 40 year lesson... they did not only need food but they needed their God.
Solving world hunger! He was being tempted to provide food for all for all time..
This is of particular interest to us, in The Salvation Army, since God has raised us, to deal with this need as one of our purposes. We, also would love to feed all the people of the world...this is one of our own temptations. The truth is that leading people to Christ is much harder than feeding people; feeding people is easier: it is more of an "outcomes goal" (measurable), builds our credibility and secures support from many more avenues. (You all, in other churches and ministries can relate, right!)
Jesus answered Satan, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God". God knows that we need food but he teaches us about a greater need, we need His life-giving words!
2. Then Satan took Jesus to Jerusalem and they stood on the "pinnacle of the Temple" and Satan tempted Jesus to throw himself off that roof, so that the Angels would rush in to save Him, so that He wouldn't even stub His toe!
Jesus was being tempted to publicly prove that He was, the Son of God, an Almighty Deity. After a physical demonstration of power we would believe, no faith required. This could be a part of Jesus' life, powerful physical miracles! No more doubts in the minds of enemies or friends. People would believe Him.
We continually try to prove that we have the truth, that our God is the true God above all other gods and that we are special by association! We don't have to prove God! I like the way the song "He Lives" suggests we make a proof, "...You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart"
Jesus answers this temptation by saying, "don't tempt the Lord, thy God". At this point you can almost hear God declare "I Am who I am" , he does not need to prove himself ! He didn't with Moses and Pharaoh and He declares He is not going to start now!! Jesus does here, remind Satan, that He, Jesus is God, and because that is true Jesus is also his God (don't tempt the Lord, thy God).
We are not going to be able to physically prove our God's existence and power. Physical proof will not be the path to salvation....faith will be.
3. Now Satan takes Jesus up to a very tall Mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory in them and Satan proposed giving them to Jesus, if Jesus will worship him.
Satan is saying "Boss, Let me be boss, I'll show you how to do this"
Satan's great idea is to let Jesus be the best King the world has ever had. He could be better than King David! He could bring world peace, He could be the most fair judge, He could prevent any wars, solve world hunger, everyone could be rich etc, etc. On our behalf, everything that he promised to do in heaven could be done on earth.
Man, that's not the plan! Jesus answers Satan, "Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God and serve only Him". God is the A to the Z, and He knows how He is going to get to Z.
Jesus answered all 3 temptations with quotes from the Old Testament. The tools He used to resist Satan's temptations are the "words of God". Again, those "life-giving words"!
All 3 temptations, were temptations, to make our life on earth easier ( women or any other parts of the good life were not His temptation.
Satan had deduced that Jesus is tempted to "take care" of us, the sheep, his creation, his children! Maybe, he was tempted... but He resisted because "this place is not our home...we're just travelin' thru"!
Sincerely in Christ, LA Nelson
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All 3 temptations, were temptations, to make our life on earth easier ( women or any other parts of the good life were not His temptation.
The Word of God says this....
Hebrews 4:15
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.
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2x2 |
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June 24, 2008 at 3:34pm |
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Thanks Mar Jay,
I can also stand by Heb. 4:15 , Satan tempts Jesus every way, but He doesn't find in Jesus a weakness, not even us--women..
According to Matt. 4, this is Satan's big chance he has watched Jesus, and now he has chosen the 3 temptations he will use.
He chooses to tempt Jesus with giving us: Provision, Proof and Peace on earth for our sake.I
Satan didn't bring Mary Magdlene, any beautiful women, and he doesn't even tempt Jesus with a wife,and children. And this is noteworthy!. This is my point. This is what contradicts "The Last Temptation of Christ".
It is just interesting that Satan is betting that "we" are Jesus' weakness! Since "God so loved the world that He sent his only begotton son", Satan will continue to try to use "that love for us" to tempt God until the end of days when he will finally be thrown into the abyss.. |
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mary |
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June 24, 2008 at 3:42pm |
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| amen to that |
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2x2 |
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June 24, 2008 at 6:07pm |
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| Thanks Dee Dee and Mary! |
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