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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] |
Bible Question: Jesus Christ was sinless, so what was the point of the temptation in the book of Matthew chapter 4:1-11? |
Bible Answer: Wow, all these responses and yet no real answer that I could see. I'll give it a shot, despite the inauspicious warning below. I think you could look at this question two ways and benefit from both. First, from the tempters point of view. Of course his point is simple; to destroy our Lord, just as he did with Adam. In other words his point was just to get Him to sin. Given that Peter wrote, “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” I believe he would, for obvious reasons, especially target our Lord. In fact, the book of Job indicates quite well, that the devil’s tempting ways are not daunted, even by the impeccable nature of our God. Since, God Himself, testified against him saying, “…although you incited Me against him to ruin him [Job] without cause” [Job 2:3] By way of commentary, although I may get my wrist slapped for this, I’d like to add this. I heard a line in a movie once that described our adversary so well I’ve never forgotten the gist of it. A couple of screenwriters, James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd wrote this, about the antagonist in one of their films. “He can't be bargained with. He can't be reasoned with. He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear, and he absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!” [Paraphrased] I think that sums his (the devil) mind set up pretty well. In summation, given that the only weapons of his warfare are the temptations that achieved our demise, quite naturally he would assail our Lord with them, for the same purpose. Now, since the adversary is just a tool in the hands of the master craftsman, another way to look at it would be, from the Almighty’s point of view. From here we might gather, that He suffered this temptation for our benefit. The writer of the book of Hebrews said, “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” [Heb 2:18] A purpose for His temptation could not be clearer; since He was tempted, he can come to our aid. Also it was written, “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,” [Heb 4:15] indicating clearly that He can “sympathize with our weaknesses;” thus the benefit to us is more than just aid or empathy; its identity. So, “He Himself was tempted.” What an agony that must have been for Him; to go from one who “cannot be tempted by evil,” [Jas 1:13] to the one “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant.” [Phil 2:6,7a] For what reason? Again, for our benefit. |