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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: The Temptation of Christ |
Bible Note: I disagree with the last sentence, Hank. In his earthly incarnation, he made himself completely obedient to the will of the Father, which is exactly what a perfect human being would do. He did not exercise the POWER of His deity, but that is something far different than saying that His CHARACTER was corruptible. As you correctly stated, he completely surrendered himself to God the Father. But being God the Son, he embodied the complete holiness and moral perfection of the Godhead. Saying that evil is possible for Christ because he took on a human body is flirting with gnosticism, too. It is not the material nature of flesh that makes man so prone to sin. It is the spiritually inherited sin nature (Romans 5:12) which Christ does not have, being the eternal Son of God. So what was the purpose of The Spirit leading him to Satan to be tempted (which is something I am sure that Satan immensely enjoyed, even though he knew it would end in failure)? Well, in order for Christ's righteousness to be credited to our account, he had to himself live out the completely sinless life in our place, so that he could die in our place. Christ was exposed to that opportunity to sin, not to test his resolve (remember, this is GOD we are talking about), but rather so that he would glorify His Father by not succumbing and in a very poignant way walking always the path of righteousness. This righteousness that Christ lived out in the wilderness was imputed to us when we became believers, so we should praise God for sending his Son to accomplish for us what it is impossible for us to do! "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15 Thanks, as always, Hank, for the stimulating discussion! --Joe! |