The Temptation

Read: Matthew 4:1-11

Introduction: Temptation is a theme of the Bible. Jesus taught His disciples to pray “lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:4). We know that we are often tempted to sin either by the devil or by our own disobedient desires (James 1:14). We want to study the temptations that Jesus faced in His time on earth and ask the question: “What is the greatest of all temptations?”

1. The Wilderness Temptation: Matthew 4:1-11
In his final temptation of Jesus upon the mountain, the devil offered Jesus the “Cross-less” life and ministry: the false hope that a man can achieve spiritual power or success without sacrifice.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
As we study the further temptations, we discover that this is a theme that continues throughout Jesus’ time on earth.

2. At Caesarea Philippi: Matthew 16:21-25
Following the revelation that Jesus was the Christ at Caesarea Philippi, the Lord began to explain what kind of Messiah He was going to be; namely a “suffering servant” (Isaiah 52:13ff). Hearing this, Peter rebukes Jesus and discourages Him from going to the cross. It becomes clear from Jesus’ response that Satan inspired Peter’s comment. Once again, the temptation is the “Cross-less” life and ministry.

3. In Gethsemane: John 14:30-31; Matthew 26:36-46
Satanic power is especially at work on the eve of Jesus’ arrest and trial. Jesus said, “the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,” (John 14:30). The devil had already entered Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3); and Jesus told the priests who came to arrest Him “This is your hour—when darkness reigns" (Luke 22:53). But the greatest of these dark moments was when Jesus struggled with His commitment to His death on the cross (Matthew 26:36-46). Was the cunning snake hiding in that garden, as in Eden, offering the Second Adam the cross-less life?

4. At Skull Hill: Matthew 27:38-44
Finally, in words deeply reminiscent of satan’s temptation in the desert, the crowd cries out to the bleeding and dying Messiah: "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

The Cross Today
This same satanic strategy of “success without sacrifice” will be at the root of many of our contemporary temptations. Jesus’ victory relied upon His daily death and so will ours! Note the theme of sanctification by “being crucified” that dominates the theology of the Apostle Paul:

“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” Romans 8:13

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” Galatians 5:24

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” Philippians 3:10

For further study, see also 2 Corinthians 4:10; Romans 6:3-8; Galatians 6:14; Galatians 2:20 and Romans 8:31-39.