Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit (the same Holy Spirit that had just appeared in visible form at Jesus' baptism in the previous chapter of Matthew's gospel).

If it is then asked why the Holy Spirit would play a role in causing Jesus to be tempted, I believe that it is more accurate to speak of Jesus being tested, which God was recorded as doing on multiple occasions in the Old Testament.

For example, in speaking to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8:2-3 as they were about to enter the Promised Land, and in a passage from which Jesus Himself quoted to Satan, Moses said, "You shall remember all the ways which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD."

In order to fully identify with humans in their weakness, Jesus was similarly tested, but prevailed on our behalf by demonstrating His reliance upon and devotion to God, while at the same time not testing God by unnecessarily or recklessly presuming upon His protection.

July 01 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho

Matthew 4:1: Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

From the beginning of the world from the time that it was, Heavenly Father sent Lord Jesus to redeem the world, which leads every child of God by the way that they should go. (Isa 48:12-17) 

Lord Jesus, being born of the Holy Ghost that came upon Mary, waxed strong in the spirit filled with wisdom and the grace of God upon Him. (Lk 1:35) He grew up, waxed strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God upon Him, for which He perceived in the Holy Ghost that was in Him. (Luke 2:40,47) He knew himself why He was sent and what He would do. (Gen 18:2,17/John 8:56) The voice that came from Heaven which said, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee, I am well pleased,” was the Spirit of God that led Him into the wilderness to hearken to the voice of the Father. (Lk 3:22,4:1) 

Lord Jesus, being led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness, prayed for forty days and forty nights on the mountaintop and got hungry. Being in the spirit, the thoughts of temptation were revealed by Satan though He had the power and might as He had walked over the seas when His disciples were caught in a storm. He had the power to fly over the pinnacle of the temple and the exceeding high mountains to see all the kingdoms of the world and glory of them. He therefore rebuked the Satanic thoughts that came unto Him from Satan to "get thee hence," for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve,” for which He was sent into this world. (Mat 4:10) 

Lord Jesus would often go up to the mountaintop by Himself to pray, for he knew the thoughts of men. (John 6:15) Just as Peter knew the coming of the Messiah (John 1:41) and was told how He must suffer be killed and then be raised again on the third day, took Lord Jesus aside and said, "Be it far from thee this shall not be unto thee," and the Lord said, "Get thee behind me Satan." (Mat 16:21-23) Lord Jesus also prayed to the Father to take the cup from, Him nevertheless not His will but the Father's will to be done. (Luke 22:40-42) Thus, what He revealed to them was witnessed by His disciples and when He ascended to heaven, they were the strong who testified of Him.

Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

November 11 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report