Temptations
are real. We all struggle with them every day. But I wonder, why some people give
in more quickly than others. Then there is Jesus. After 40 days of fasting, He still
did not give into the temptation to make a rock into bread. Why? He did not
give into the temptation for power over all nations. Why? He did not give into
the temptation to jump from a high place and prove He was special. Why?
I have
studied those temptations may times and from many angles. Today, I saw
something different as I was reading the passage in Luke 4. I was hearing John
13:3-5 playing in the background of my mind. “Jesus knew
that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come
from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His
robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He
began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around
Him.” (NLT)
As I read through
the temptations one at a time, I began to understand more why Jesus was
victorious over these temptations. The devil started the temptations with three
words, “If you are….” And I begin to wonder, do all temptations begin there? At
the core of every temptation is the question, “Who am I?”
First, Jesus
was tempted to prove He was the Son of God by doing the miracle of turning the
stone into bread. But Jesus knew that He was the ‘bread of life’ that came into
the world to provide a way for us to repent and be saved. He did not need to
make a stone into bread – did not need to prove anything. He knew who He was!
Second, Jesus
was tempted to bow down and worship the devil in order to have authority over
all the kingdoms of earth. But Jesus knew that He already had that authority
not only over all kingdoms but over all creation. He knew that the devil’s days
were numbered, and that true authority comes from God, not from the devil. He
did not need a shortcut to be honored as king. He was the Lord of Lords and King
of Kings!
Third, Jesus
was tempted to jump from a high place to prove that God would rescue Him. But
Jesus knew that He could call on God and 12 legions of angels would rescue Him.
(Matthew 26:53) He did not need to prove anything to the devil. He did not need
to test God’s ability to save Him. He came into the world to save us!
So how does
that help me overcome temptations? Because I have repented of my sins and
accepted Jesus as Lord of my life, I have a new identity in Him. I am His
child. My Father is King of the universe! I can have confidence that He will
provide for me. I don’t need to steal or connive to get things. I can even be
generous with what He has already given me because I know He will provide all I
need. I don’t need to try to gain power over others because He is Lord of my
life and as I humble myself before Him and before others, He will put me in places of honor in
His kingdom. I can even encourage others as I have been encouraged by Him to
grow into my role as a child of the King. And I don’t need to constantly test
Him to see if He is there. He will rescue me when I need to be rescued. I can
trust Him to be there for me. And when I am done on this earth, I know where I
am going – to an eternal home with my Father!
If I walk in
that identity, temptations will not overtake me. It is when I forget who I am
that I am most vulnerable.
Father, thank
you for providing a way out for me when I am tempted. Thank you for saving me
and for your promises that guide me as I put my trust in you. Help me to
continue to grow into my position as your child so that I can become all that
you call me to be without fear. You are awesome and I love you. Amen.
