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NASB | Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [Luke 4:1-13] |
Subject: What was reason for the virgin birth? |
Bible Note: Hi Steve, Great point re the "likeness" of sinful flesh. I think that is the heart of the matter. Regarding this "temptation implies the possibility of sin", I think the opposing view can be stated something like "being male, I cannot be tempted to have a baby." You can show me images of happy motherhood all day long, but I cannot be tempted to actually give birth. It is impossible for me to do, and therefore, poses no temptation. As Hebrew 2:18 states, "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted," this would seem to me to speak of Jesus' subjective experience of temptation, rather than simply the expectations or opinions of His temptor. Now, mind you, I am simply trying to more clearly articulate the other view. I'm not so sure myself that we even have the vocabulary or conceptualizations to properly address this issue. Temptation as fallen man understands temptation is a different thing than temptation was to Adam, and to Jesus. We want to sin. Adam did not have that predisposition, and neither did Jesus. While temptation in itself is not sin, I find that when I am tempted by sin, it gains strength as I find that I want to do that by which I am tempted, and that desire is of itself unrighteousness. Personally, I don't think that we can really get our minds around Christ's experience being tempted, and I certainly don't know the answer to the peccability of Christ. Jesus was low enough to reach us, and high enough to pull us out. I'm not sure how much I can add beyond that. Love in Christ, Mark |