I know, who knew. Well, I know that I did as I have studied God’s Word for some time now in my 51 (almost 52) years of life. Even Jesus was tempted, and look as to when He was tempted.
“2And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” — Matthew 4:2 (ESV)
Jesus was weak and vulnerable in this hour that He would be tested. He had been fasting for 40 days. I know that when I have been without for even 24 hours I am irritable and vulnerable to the temptations of the world as I look to satisfy my need. Jesus had been without for 40 days and for sure this is the time that He would be tested, when He is most vulnerable. But look at the verse just before.
“1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” — Matthew 4:1 (ESV)
This tempting of Jesus was not random and coming out of nowhere. The Holy Spirit “led” Him into the situation. Jesus was chosen to be tempted by the evil one at this time when He was most vulnerable. God knew that Jesus was up to the task and allowed His son to be tempted. He knew the outcome would be great because He knew His son and even in His weakened state, God provided the strength and wisdom needed to overcome and be delivered from the temptation that was befalling Him.
I look at this tempting of Jesus and think, well, if He will be tempted when He is in an extremely weakened state and was still strong enough to overcome with the help of God, why wouldn’t I have the same chance to overcome with the help of God. I should be leaning on God to guide me through this life so that I am able to avoid temptation, yet even then will I still be tempted just as Jesus was tempted, and He is the Son of God.
If even Jesus was tempted, what does that imply about you? Are you working through this world without understanding that you too will be tempted? What if you were accept that you will be tempted and lean on God to get you through?
Trevor's Thoughts 