This inspired by re-reading notes from past sermons. To be honest, it's pretty much just a recap, but I found the message striking once again. I work for an Orthodox Jewish man. We've never had a conversation on the subject. But I think about his faith a lot because I'm always reminded by the yarmulke.
January 6, Tommy Allen preached on Luke 4:1-13, the three temptations of Jesus. (Listen here)
Provision
In the first one, Jesus went out in the desert for 40 days and didn't eat, after which Satan tempted him to make his own food and relieve his own suffering, and Jesus didn't. Why is this significant? Two reasons: First, Adam had food, surrounded by fruits, yet in succumbing to temptation and eating the forbidden fruit, tried to provide for himself instead of depending on God. Adam had food and succumbed to temptation. Second, Israel was in the desert like Jesus, and they didn't even have to fast - God gave them manna and quail. But they still failed to be the example to the nations, despite God's provision.
So Adam had food and a garden, and failed. Israel had food and a desert, and failed. Jesus had no food and a desert, and succeeded. This is evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. Many Jews believe the Old Testament is true. They are very familiar with Adam and Israel. They also usually believe the events of the New Testament happened, but like the Pharisees, they remain unconvinced that Jesus is the Messiah who was spoken of in the Old Testament. This first temptation of Jesus is evidence that he is Messiah.
Power
In the second temptation, Satan offers Jesus rule of the world, and Jesus declined. Significance? Adam sought power over death, which is why he ate the fruit and failed the temptation. Israel sought power when she conquered nations that God said not to, when she worshiped gods that God said not to, and committed other sins. So she failed the temptation of power.
So Adam had power in his grasp and he took it, and look where he ended up. Israel had power in her grasp and she tried to take it, and she was scattered and exiled. Jesus had power in his grasp, and he declined. Again, evidence.
Testing (Tommy called this "Protection" but I feel this is more appropriate even if it isn't alliterative)
In the third temptation, Satan asked Jesus to prove himself by throwing himself off a building and letting God catch him. This is a little ironic, since in the first two temptations Jesus has already provided evidence that he is Messiah, yet Satan is asking for more proof - and again ironic, since Satan already knows Jesus is Messiah. In Tommy's words, Satan is telling Jesus, "Put yourself in a position where God has no choice but to prove he loves you, by saving you."
Adam tested God when he sinned, just like kids test their parents by pressing boundaries to see how they'll react. Adam tested God, paid the consequences - yet God provided for him, giving them a way to cover their shame and nakedness. Israel tested God when she sinned - yet God provided for her with food and protection and forgiveness.
I think this is the biggest piece of evidence of the three that Jesus is Messiah, because Jesus did not test God, and yet he paid the consequences that he would have experienced if he had. It's a precursor to the cross, the ultimate consequence for sin he didn't commit.
Side Note
I've always imagined Jesus being approached by a floating red Satan, evil and ugly and deformed. But given the fact that Satan was tempting Jesus, he had to try to be convincing. I'll bet he approached Jesus in human form, a kind and sympathetic face. I bet he put his hand on Jesus' shoulder and gently said, "Friend, you must be so hungry; why don't you make yourself a snack for strength, and then continue fasting and serving God? You're incredible, having fasted for 40 days." The temptation had to be attractive in order to be a temptation.
January 6, Tommy Allen preached on Luke 4:1-13, the three temptations of Jesus. (Listen here)
Provision
In the first one, Jesus went out in the desert for 40 days and didn't eat, after which Satan tempted him to make his own food and relieve his own suffering, and Jesus didn't. Why is this significant? Two reasons: First, Adam had food, surrounded by fruits, yet in succumbing to temptation and eating the forbidden fruit, tried to provide for himself instead of depending on God. Adam had food and succumbed to temptation. Second, Israel was in the desert like Jesus, and they didn't even have to fast - God gave them manna and quail. But they still failed to be the example to the nations, despite God's provision.
So Adam had food and a garden, and failed. Israel had food and a desert, and failed. Jesus had no food and a desert, and succeeded. This is evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. Many Jews believe the Old Testament is true. They are very familiar with Adam and Israel. They also usually believe the events of the New Testament happened, but like the Pharisees, they remain unconvinced that Jesus is the Messiah who was spoken of in the Old Testament. This first temptation of Jesus is evidence that he is Messiah.
Power
In the second temptation, Satan offers Jesus rule of the world, and Jesus declined. Significance? Adam sought power over death, which is why he ate the fruit and failed the temptation. Israel sought power when she conquered nations that God said not to, when she worshiped gods that God said not to, and committed other sins. So she failed the temptation of power.
So Adam had power in his grasp and he took it, and look where he ended up. Israel had power in her grasp and she tried to take it, and she was scattered and exiled. Jesus had power in his grasp, and he declined. Again, evidence.
Testing (Tommy called this "Protection" but I feel this is more appropriate even if it isn't alliterative)
In the third temptation, Satan asked Jesus to prove himself by throwing himself off a building and letting God catch him. This is a little ironic, since in the first two temptations Jesus has already provided evidence that he is Messiah, yet Satan is asking for more proof - and again ironic, since Satan already knows Jesus is Messiah. In Tommy's words, Satan is telling Jesus, "Put yourself in a position where God has no choice but to prove he loves you, by saving you."
Adam tested God when he sinned, just like kids test their parents by pressing boundaries to see how they'll react. Adam tested God, paid the consequences - yet God provided for him, giving them a way to cover their shame and nakedness. Israel tested God when she sinned - yet God provided for her with food and protection and forgiveness.
I think this is the biggest piece of evidence of the three that Jesus is Messiah, because Jesus did not test God, and yet he paid the consequences that he would have experienced if he had. It's a precursor to the cross, the ultimate consequence for sin he didn't commit.
Side Note
I've always imagined Jesus being approached by a floating red Satan, evil and ugly and deformed. But given the fact that Satan was tempting Jesus, he had to try to be convincing. I'll bet he approached Jesus in human form, a kind and sympathetic face. I bet he put his hand on Jesus' shoulder and gently said, "Friend, you must be so hungry; why don't you make yourself a snack for strength, and then continue fasting and serving God? You're incredible, having fasted for 40 days." The temptation had to be attractive in order to be a temptation.
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