Our Persistent Defeated Foe: Luke 4:13
“13) When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13
“11) Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.” Matthew 4:11
“12) Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13) And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” Mark 1:12-13
Both Luke and Mathew dive in depth into the Temptations of Jesus following His forty days of fasting in the wilderness. Mark summarizes the events, but includes the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Jesus.
After the devil had thrown three big temptations at Jesus, the text says, “he departed from Jesus for an opportune time.”
The devil wasn’t done. He was still on the prowl looking for weaknesses in Jesus. (See 1 Peter 5:8) He is always on the prowl looking for people to devour. He seeks to tempt both believers and unbelievers.
As you study the public ministry of Jesus, it becomes obvious that Jesus suffered and was tempted in many ways. He endured rejection, opposition, misunderstandings, betrayal, threats, beatings and even the cross.
Even His family was against Him much of the time. He was hungry, thirsty and weary from long journeys. He also encountered many men and women of ill repute with twisted morals. He was victorious over the full range of human sufferings, trials and temptations.
Hebrews 2:18 says; “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” Never minimize the unique temptations that accompany sufferings. The devil feeds on human misery and suffering.
Hebrews 4:15 says; “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” During His life and public ministry, the Tempter used His full arsenal on Jesus, yet He did not sin. He never gave in. He did not yield. He was victorious over every temptation.
Therefore, He is ready and willing to come to the aid of those who are tempted. When these two texts in the book of Hebrews are combined, we discover that Jesus ready to extend mercy, grace and help to those who are tempted. He is for us in our struggles and not against us. He is not the tempter!
So what can we draw from these texts? The first is obvious, we all have a common enemy that is out to tempt and devour us. He is relentless. If he fails in one area, he will come at us in others. He is there in our youth, middle age and senior years. Never be so proud as to assume you are beyond temptation.
Second, Jesus offers us huge resources and help so we can stand firm against the temptations, attacks and schemes of the enemy. (See Ephesians 6:10-20) Let’s review a few that come from these texts.
For starters, both the Holy Spirit and angels were there to minister to Jesus. They are there for us as well!
Next, three times Jesus resisted the devil by quoting Scripture. According to Ephesians 6:17; the word of God is the sword of the Spirit.
An observation must be made at this point, Jesus did not carry a Bible or scrolls with Him into the wilderness. He was armed with Psalm 119:11; “Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Throughout His life He had studied, memorized and applied the Word of God to daily living. He learned the Word of God the same way we need to learn; He studied!
God wants us to renew our minds by memorizing and meditating on the Word of God as well. (See Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Peter 1:2-11) Then He wants us to build our lives on the solid rock of Scripture. (Matthew 7:24-29) The devil is absolutely subject to the authority and power of the Word of God. He hates truth as clearly defined by the Bible.
When the two texts mentioned above from the book of Hebrews are added to the coverage of Matthew and Luke, things get really exciting! We have instant access to the throne of grace and Jesus who is ever present to come to our aid in our time of our need with unlimited mercy, grace and help.
Let me summarize: I find great insight, encouragement and grace from these stories of the devil trying to devour Jesus with his many schemes, lies, temptations and attacks. He failed!
Jesus is my hero! He is my God, Creator, Savior, Advocate, High Priest, Shepherd, truth, life, light, agape love and friend. He has baptized me with His Holy Spirit and given me His Word. He is my ever present help in any time of need. He will never leave or forsake me.
Why should I be discouraged or fear the defeated foe who seeks to cause me harm? Why should I crumble or bow knee to him, his schemes or his demonic minions?
Greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world! (1 John 4:4) It is not by our strength, but by God’s amazing power m, Word and grace that we can stand and live in freedom and victory! Stop making excuses for your sin, bondage and failure! Stop minimizing and marginalizing Jesus in your times of need!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
“13) When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13
“11) Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.” Matthew 4:11
“12) Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. 13) And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” Mark 1:12-13
Both Luke and Mathew dive in depth into the Temptations of Jesus following His forty days of fasting in the wilderness. Mark summarizes the events, but includes the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Jesus.
After the devil had thrown three big temptations at Jesus, the text says, “he departed from Jesus for an opportune time.”
The devil wasn’t done. He was still on the prowl looking for weaknesses in Jesus. (See 1 Peter 5:8) He is always on the prowl looking for people to devour. He seeks to tempt both believers and unbelievers.
As you study the public ministry of Jesus, it becomes obvious that Jesus suffered and was tempted in many ways. He endured rejection, opposition, misunderstandings, betrayal, threats, beatings and even the cross.
Even His family was against Him much of the time. He was hungry, thirsty and weary from long journeys. He also encountered many men and women of ill repute with twisted morals. He was victorious over the full range of human sufferings, trials and temptations.
Hebrews 2:18 says; “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” Never minimize the unique temptations that accompany sufferings. The devil feeds on human misery and suffering.
Hebrews 4:15 says; “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” During His life and public ministry, the Tempter used His full arsenal on Jesus, yet He did not sin. He never gave in. He did not yield. He was victorious over every temptation.
Therefore, He is ready and willing to come to the aid of those who are tempted. When these two texts in the book of Hebrews are combined, we discover that Jesus ready to extend mercy, grace and help to those who are tempted. He is for us in our struggles and not against us. He is not the tempter!
So what can we draw from these texts? The first is obvious, we all have a common enemy that is out to tempt and devour us. He is relentless. If he fails in one area, he will come at us in others. He is there in our youth, middle age and senior years. Never be so proud as to assume you are beyond temptation.
Second, Jesus offers us huge resources and help so we can stand firm against the temptations, attacks and schemes of the enemy. (See Ephesians 6:10-20) Let’s review a few that come from these texts.
For starters, both the Holy Spirit and angels were there to minister to Jesus. They are there for us as well!
Next, three times Jesus resisted the devil by quoting Scripture. According to Ephesians 6:17; the word of God is the sword of the Spirit.
An observation must be made at this point, Jesus did not carry a Bible or scrolls with Him into the wilderness. He was armed with Psalm 119:11; “Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Throughout His life He had studied, memorized and applied the Word of God to daily living. He learned the Word of God the same way we need to learn; He studied!
God wants us to renew our minds by memorizing and meditating on the Word of God as well. (See Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Peter 1:2-11) Then He wants us to build our lives on the solid rock of Scripture. (Matthew 7:24-29) The devil is absolutely subject to the authority and power of the Word of God. He hates truth as clearly defined by the Bible.
When the two texts mentioned above from the book of Hebrews are added to the coverage of Matthew and Luke, things get really exciting! We have instant access to the throne of grace and Jesus who is ever present to come to our aid in our time of our need with unlimited mercy, grace and help.
Let me summarize: I find great insight, encouragement and grace from these stories of the devil trying to devour Jesus with his many schemes, lies, temptations and attacks. He failed!
Jesus is my hero! He is my God, Creator, Savior, Advocate, High Priest, Shepherd, truth, life, light, agape love and friend. He has baptized me with His Holy Spirit and given me His Word. He is my ever present help in any time of need. He will never leave or forsake me.
Why should I be discouraged or fear the defeated foe who seeks to cause me harm? Why should I crumble or bow knee to him, his schemes or his demonic minions?
Greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world! (1 John 4:4) It is not by our strength, but by God’s amazing power m, Word and grace that we can stand and live in freedom and victory! Stop making excuses for your sin, bondage and failure! Stop minimizing and marginalizing Jesus in your times of need!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
