In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;

Hebrews 5:7-8

 

When we think of Jesus and his life in ministry, we should remember that he was with us in the form of a man. A man, though God. Born as a man he had all the earthly desires and needs we do. The Matthew Henry commentary says, “In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus.” One version of the Scripture above said that he prayed with vehement cries and tears. He desperately wanted to obey his Father and complete what he had been sent to earth to do.

After he was baptized by John the Baptist, and before Jesus began his ministry, he went into the Judean wilderness and fasted for forty days and nights. During that time, Satan appeared to him trying to tempt him to

  • make bread out of stones to relieve his own hunger
  • jump from a pinnacle and rely on angels to break his fall
  • worship Satan in return for all the kingdoms of the world

Jesus resisted Satan each time. It wasn’t easy. He had to resist to keep his humility. He had to battle against sin much like we do when we’re tempted to be something or do something that’s wrong.

How did Jesus resist temptation? And what can we learn from him?

The devil will tempt us when we’re at our neediest. That’s when we will have to resist in the way Jesus resisted.

Scripture will help us endure the battle. God’s Word is a powerful weapon against sin. Having Bible verses memorized is best. But if you, like me, find it hard to put things to memory, another option would be to underline verses that are meaningful to you. Periodically leaf through your Bible returning to those verses you’ve underlined. Eventually they will come to mind when you need them.

Jesus read and memorized Scripture all his life. When the devil told him to turn stones into bread and relieve his hunger he said, “It is written. ‘Man does not live by bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4) He was talking about the importance of spiritual life.  You can imagine the strength those words from God would give a person who’s fasting.

Probably all of us are tempted to do things that aren’t good for us when we’re in great need. Some of us may overeat. We may turn to alcohol or drugs. Some buy things they can’t afford. Yes, we are tempted in much the same way Jesus was.

When you feel needy, when you’re hungry for something and you can’t quite put your finger on it, talk to God. Find satisfaction by feeding on his Word. If you’re humble and willing to obey, God will give you the strength and determination you need to endure the battle.

Jesus said, “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev 3:21 NASB)

marja