Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1 (ESV)
Seemingly immediately after Jesus’ baptism, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The gospel writers tell us of three specific temptations he faced, but there is no reason to suppose there were not many more. It was a time of testing. And Jesus passed the test, never giving in to the devil’s temptation.
It is tempting to picture Jesus as being God with a thin shell of humanity wrapped around him. But Hebrews 2:17 tells us that he was made like us in every way. Jesus was fully human, just like I am. And this verse reinforces that. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness; he did not go on his own initiative. And he was tempted by the devil. God cannot be tempted (Jam. 1:13). But Jesus, as fully human, was capable of being tempted.
Why did the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness for this time of temptation? The gospel writers do not answer that question. But I believe it is safe to assume that it was an essential step in preparing Jesus for the work he would be doing. And the author of Hebrews points out that his temptation and suffering enable him to sympathize and help us in our weakness and temptations (Heb. 2:18, 4:15).
It can also be tempting to think that the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness were unlike anything I will ever face. And while that may be true of the specific temptations, they are, in general, the kind of temptations each of us faces. The New American Commentary offers a helpful summary of the temptations Jesus faced.
We are tempted to gauge life by human comforts and consumerism, to misuse spiritual gifts and power for our own glory and benefit rather than serving others, and to seize power by shortcuts, such as equating a particular political agenda with God’s will.
(New American Commentary)
Responding to Temptation
When we are faced with temptation, we can and should respond like Jesus did, with the Scripture. And we can rest assured that he knows what we are facing and will help us through it. We do not walk through the wilderness alone.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
