Mark 1: 12 – 13
Our Champion
12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
By most historians’ findings, the Gospels of Matthew and Mark were written before Luke penned his Gospel. We need to remember that all three were not there with our Lord Jesus when He took on Satan in the Wilderness. Matthew later heard directly from the Lord as they spent some three years together. Luke probably never saw the Lord, yet he was an excellent investigator. He probably was able to talk to Peter and the other Apostles about this situation. Mark as we noted in our last study was Peter’s pen man. He sat with Peter and obtained his remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ and the things that happened.
So, to get the all the information relative to this event in our Lord’s earthly life let us look at the other two Gospels.
Matthew 4, “ 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Luke 4, “1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,’ 11 and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”
I am sure you have picked up on the differences of the other two Gospels. Peter was not moved to talk about our Lord’s battle with Satan. He just lists the first two verses that Matthew wrote - 12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.’
As you can see it was Matthew and Luke who get into the event in detail.
Luke changes ‘temptation’ 2 and 3 around. The order by Luke is not chronological but thematic. The idea of Jerusalem is central in Luke’s Gospel. Jerusalem symbolized Judaism and Israel itself to Luke. He lists the temptation about Jerusalem last probably because it is the place where the Lord Is headed for His decisive confrontation with Satan at the cross.
Our Lord Jesus Was and Is the second Adam. What Adam failed to do, our Lord accomplished. Also where Israel failed in the wilderness, our Lord succeeded.
Our Precious Lord Jesus now relies on the Holy Spirit to guide Him in all that He should do. The Holy Spirit is ready for a showdown. Along with Adam, the Israelites failed in the wilderness. Now it was time for a rematch. This time the Second Adam is the right and perfect One to take on Satan.
Please note that this follows the pattern of Moses who went without food in order to receive the Law. In addition, the prophet Elijah went to Mount Sinai after going 40 days without food. Following these prophets our Lord will win the victory that the first human along with the nation of Israel came out in defeat.
You know in life we sometimes want to cling to the words of Psalm 23 which says, “ 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” We want the nice easy life. I would like that also, but somehow it wasn’t in the cards for me and I am sure for you also.
Our Precious Holy Spirit led our Lord Jesus into the desert for a long and difficult time of testing. You may also experience a wilderness experience of life’s difficulties. If you do go through a time of testing, make sure you have not brought these trials on yourself because of sin or unwise choices. If you examine your lives and find no such areas of concern then beseech the Lord to strengthen you to endure the suffering whether it be physical or emotional.
It should be noted that temptation comes from without. You know the old saying, ‘the devil made me do it’, is not quite true. You fall to the temptation on your own. No one makes you do it.
Now, a question you may have thought about is this, ‘ why was it necessary for our Lord Jesus to be tempted?’ I can think of two reasons;
1. It is part of human experience. It says in the book of Hebrews chapter 4 that He went through everything we go through, “14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ had to undo Adam’s failed work. As you know, Adam was created perfect. However, he gave in to the temptation and passed sin on to us as the book of Romans chapter 5 clearly spells out, “12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
Hopefully, we will be able to note as we look at each temptation that each of them was offering a quick fix to a Messianic problem. Playing tricks with stones can hardly be a temptation. There is more behind these temptations. We read in the Gospel of Luke Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,’ 11 and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”
We need to also understand the enemy’s tactics. As we read in verse 13 the enemy will come against us at any opportune time - 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
It does not matter is things are going great and we feel strong or in times of our weakness. We need to be on guard at all times. In the first temptation our Lord was hungry. Who wouldn’t be after 40 days without food?
Times of testing can help us sort out our beliefs and strengthens our faith, but as you also know these times can also be dangerous to us. If you are dealing with doubt or other problems seek the Lord in prayer to help you battle the temptations to make the wrong choices.
A choice the enemy threw at our Lord was a simple choice and not necessarily a bad choice. He was hungry. The enemy appeals to our basic appetites and desires. Satan knew that our Lord Jesus had the power to get Himself some food. What is the big deal for just making some bread to eat? This however was a quick fix in using His power as the Son of God.
Our Precious Holy Adoni Yahweh had a bigger hunger to fill for mankind. If our Lord Jesus just helped Himself to make food, then Satan could throw at Him then how could mankind from now on every be refused food. We would all be these obese people walking around because God has to make sure that we are well fed.
Our Lord Jesus said this in the Gospel of John chapter 4 this, “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
We all need to take care of things, first and foremost. It is an inner hunger that only He could satisfy. Remember, His Sermon on the Mount in chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew, what did He say about all who hunger?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” As men and women we all hunger to get right with our Holy Creator.
Or how about this great response of our Lord towards decisions as the Gospel of John informs us, “31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
You see that sometimes what we are tempted to do isn’t wrong in itself. Turning stones into bread wasn’t necessarily bad. The sin was not in the act but in the reason behind it. The devil was trying to get our Lord to take a short cut to solve His immediate problem. If He responded to this suggestion then it would be at the expense of His long term goal to provide for us His Righteousness for our sinfulness.
If He made sure the world was always fed then their would still be a hunger that He was sent to fulfill.
Satan wanted our Lord to seek comfort and satisfaction by sacrificing His discipline. He works this way today also. He persuades us to take action now, instead of waiting. Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God’s Will or ahead of His time table. Do you want a great example of this in action? How about marrying someone the Lord has clearly said that you shouldn’t? I know I have a lot of people uneasy with this example.
Our Lord responded as we all should and that is by using the Word of God – ‘It is written, man shall not eat by bread alone, but by every word.’
Knowing and obeying God’s Word is an effective weapon against temptation. In the book of Ephesians chapter 6 we read about putting on the full armor of God for battle against spiritual forces. The only offensive tool we have is the word of God, “17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
Now, here though is a valuable point, in order for the Word of God to be affective, you need to know it! If you memorize Scripture, the Holy Spirit can assist you in using the right responses against any and all attacks. You will be able to stand against any onslaught by the enemy. As verse 11 of chapter 6 of the book of Ephesians promises, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The second temptation pointed out by Luke is when Satan offers up all the kingdoms of the world if our Lord Jesus would bow down and worship him. – “5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.
Of all the nerve? He could have the whole world now without going to the cross. But if He decided to take Satan’s route the world would never be free of sin.
The first temptation had been physical. The second one was political and the third temptation deals with religion for Jerusalem is the center of all religions of the world – “9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,to keep you,’ 11 and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’
The fall would be about 4 to 6 hundred foot drop. That act would certainly grab the attention of all the people as they watched Him do a swan dive and like a bungee cord be hoisted up by angels. Now, come on now. Look back to our Lord’s birth Satan. If came as an infant born in a cave and dressed in rags do you actually think our Lord is going to do that kind of stunt in order for all to know that He Is the Promised Messiah?
So, what can we learn for our own selves from our Lord’s temptations?
1. The enemy does not want us to accept from God all things and trust Him, but to use our own thoughts and ways to change the circumstances
2. Use a quick fix to solve our problems instead of ‘waiting for the Lord’ to handle the issues
3. Using worldly schemes to accomplish any object instead of trusting God.
We all need to write these points down until we have them clearly in our minds for as verse 13 loudly warns the enemy just goes away for a short time before the next attack – “13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”
Thank You Lord Jesus for winning the battle for us. You Are our Champion.
