It is Written...

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:1-4 ESV)

Jesus was human and God, but he was human. He knows our struggles with temptation. The tempter is always there waiting for the opportunity to take notes and be able to make an accusation against us to God. Sometimes, I imagine Satan has a folder full of notes on me and my sins. When I stand before the Lord, like a prosecutor, Satan will open his folder and say, “Child of God? Look at these blasphemies.” Condemn this man; he is mine. But I know the Lord will say, "All those things you have no longer exist. They have been forgiven with my blood."

Jesus was also tempted, and we see this in Matthew 4. Jesus, with an unfailing knowledge of scripture, defeated Satan with the Word of God. We must remember that God tempts no one (James 1:13), yet our temptations are included in his sovereign plan for our good. Jesus's temptation parallels Israel's testing in the wilderness. The forty days parallel the 40 years. In Christ’s temptation, we can see Deuteronomy 8:1-5. Jesus used the scripture contained in Deuteronomy to defeat Satan. Remember Ephesians 6:17: the word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. This is why it is so important to study scripture.

Jesus knows our weaknesses; He feels our struggles. He wept at death while knowing all the while that there was life. Jesus was human so that He could pay the price for human sin and, as God, withstand the wrath of God against sin. He carried our sins and cleansed us. Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Do you know Christ? If you do not, do not wait any longer. Ask Him into your heart as your Savior. Openly express your belief and faith in Him and repent of your sins. You will only gain by doing so.

Peace and Grace!