Day 6, Background on Jesus’ temptations, Luke 4:1-13

Let us continue to meditate on the terms of our passage.

·        Tempted, v2.  The Greek pierazo refers to a test, a problematical situation where we can trust God or trust ourselves or some other god.  God does not test us to get us to do evil (Jas. 1:12-16) but to reveal our hearts.  Jesus taught us to pray that we would not be led into temptation (Mt. 6:13; Lk. 11:4), and that we should pray so as not to enter into temptation (Mt. 26:41).  So note that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness and it was then the Devil tempted Jesus.  We note several things: 1) temptation itself is not a sin; 2) God will not always keep us from these tests; 3) and Jesus experienced temptation from the Devil on other occasions (Lk. 4:13, the devil left until an opportune time).

·        Forty days, v2. 

o   Forty is used often in Scripture.  Several kings reigned forty years (e.g. 2 Sam. 5:4; 1 Ki. 11:42); it rained forty days in the flood (Gen. 7:12); Israel was forty years in the desert (Num. 14:33-34); Moses’ life was three forty year periods (Acts 7:23,30,36).  Forty could be seen to signify fullness, but sometimes it was fullness of good and sometimes fullness of bad.  

o   One thing we might be reminded of is Moses on Mt. Sinai forty days and nights when he first received the stone tablets with the Law and then for another forty days and nights interceding for Israel (Deut. 8:2).  The Scriptures make a connection between Moses and Jesus, Moses being faithful in all His house as a servant but Jesus faithful as a Son over His own house (Heb. 3:1-6).  Further, John reminds us the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:17).  

·        Devil, v2.  He is the slanderer (Grk. diabolo), the false accuser.  His temptations slander God, calling us to question His word and character.  (Has God indeed said, Gen. 3:1.  If you are the Son of God, Lk. 4:3.)  His temptations also slander the work of Christ as he seeks to cause the believer to sin.  For this reason the Devil is the accuser of our brethren (Rev. 12:10).

·        He ate nothing, v2.  Some wonder if Jesus’ fast was from food He usually ate.  Luke is clear: this was a total fast.  Fasting is defined by the phrase used in Israel on the Day of Atonement: you shall afflict your souls (Lev. 16:29).  Fasting is a discipline, like prayer and regular reading of Scripture.  

·        Hungry, v2.  This is not hard to define.  We all know hunger to one extent or another.  But this is the point!  Heb. 5:2 says that Jesus was subject to weakness.  Hunger, like being tired or in pain when you stub your toe, these are our weaknesses.  And Jesus experienced these.  He did not shield Himself by using the powers of His deity.  As Phil. 2:5-8 tells us, Jesus came in the likeness of men, humbling Himself even to the death of the cross.

Hopefully this gives us pause to reflect on our own path as we follow Jesus.