Jesus is just about to start His public ministry; He has been baptized.
“ While everyone else was being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. Then as he prayed, the sky opened up, 22 and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.” Luke 3:21-22 CEV
The very next thing that happens is Jesus goes alone into the desert on a 40 day fast.
“When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, and the Spirit led him into the desert. 2 For 40 days Jesus was tested by the devil, and during that time he went without eating. When it was all over, he was hungry.
3 The devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone to turn into bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say, ‘No one can live only on food.’ ” Luke 4:1-4 CEV
What I’ve read and what I’ve been told it this. Within about 3 days the hunger pains go away but when they return it is a sign that the body is depleted, and it will begin to break down vital tissue to stay alive.
Jesus was hungry. He was at his weakest and that’s when the devil intensified the temptation.
“If” you are God’s Son! The temptation was to get Jesus to doubt who He was. If. How many times have we been faced with the temptation to wonder if we are called, if we were good enough, if God loves us.
If.
But listen to Jesus’ response. It is written. The Scriptures say. When we are attacked with life’s ifs, we need to know what the Scripture says.
First the devil attacked His identity, then he attacked Jesus’ humility and finally he attacked His divinity.
“Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth. 6 The devil said, “I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 Just worship me, and you can have it all.”
8 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ” Luke 4:5-8 CEV
This was the temptation that the devil himself couldn’t resist. The Bible tells us that satan said he would place his throne above God’s.
“ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:” Isaiah 14:13 KJV
Surely, he thought Jesus would fall into the same pit he did, the pit of pride. Not being successful there he pulled out one more temptation that he figured would trip Jesus up. The devil used the very thing Jesus was drawing on for strength, the Scriptures.
“Finally, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and had him stand on top of the temple. The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. 10-11 The Scriptures say:
‘God will tell his angels to take care of you. They will catch you in their arms, and you will not even hurt your feet on the stones.’ ”
12 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’ ”
13 After the devil had finished testing Jesus in every way possible, he left him for a while.” Luke 4:9-13 CEV
Two things insured Jesus’ success against the attacks and temptations of the devil. The Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God has also given these to us; empowering us to be victorious over all the works of the enemy.
Watch out for the pitfalls on the road. Because of the cross we are victorious!