44 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
44 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Luke 4:1–13"
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date = "2022-10-29"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk4.1-13)
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After being baptized by John at the Jordan River, Jesus is led by the Holy
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Spirit to the wilderness to fast and be tempted by the devil. This is an
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important event in redemptive history, because Jesus needed to remain a sinless
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sacrifice in order to justify sinners, but if He did not experience the
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temptation to sin He would not be the "high priest who is able to sympathize
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with our weaknesses" (_Heb 4:15_).
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The specific temptations that Jesus endured in this passage are also important.
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In each case, Satan is offering Jesus something He already deserves, or has a
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right to. The sinfulness of these temptations isn't the offered things in
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themselves, but in the timing, the method of aquiring them, and the motives of
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Jesus's heart if He accepted them.
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Jesus had the power and authority to change stones into bread. But it was time
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for Him to fast on this day, and until His death it was not time for Him to
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exercise His divine rights as Creator. All of His glory was set aside for the
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moment.
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Jesus has authority over all the nations and will one day receive their glory
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and worship. At that time, Satan even had the right to offer them because
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humanity came under his control when Adam sinned, but he did not deserve
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Jesus's worship at all.
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Satan accurately quoted Scripture when tempting Jesus to jump off the roof of
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the temple, but he twists the intent of the passages. In Matthew's account,
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there are indeed angels that come to serve and aid Jesus after these
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temptations are over. Yet that's not a reason to take them for granted and
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behave foolishly.
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In each case, Jesus quoted Scripture (each time from Deuteronomy) to rebuke the
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devil, bringing God's truth to mind and remembering that what He wanted in his
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flesh was less important than being obedient.
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* * *
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Help us remember the truth You have given to us when we are tempted so that we
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may act rightly.
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