The Anointed Savior’s First Test!
By Pastor Ed Fredrich, TLHA Chaplain
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during those days. When they came to an end, he was hungry. Luke 4:1-2
Jesus had just been baptized. His Father had declared, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with you.” The Holy Spirit had descended on him. Now, he was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days.
Forty days was a time period that occurs often in Scripture. The rain of the flood lasted forty days. Moses was on the mountain top receiving the law for forty days. Elijah traveled for forty days. Ninevah was given forty days to repent. Here Jesus was led to the wilderness to face off with his and our arch enemy, the devil.
Fresh on his first assignment as the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus is led right into battle. As examples, Luke also records three of the temptations that the devil used against Jesus. He countered the temptations in the same way. He followed his Father’s will and applied the Word of God.
As our brother, Jesus sets a good example. But he is also doing more. As our substitute, this second Adam didn’t falter to the devil’s temptations as the first Adam had. He passed that test. In fact we have just begun a forty day period in which we review how Jesus successfully defeated the devil. He willfully took the punishment of our sin on himself. The Bible declares that “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Jesus endured it and conquered it by his resurrection.
Lord Jesus, thank you for not only passing the test, but winning our eternal victory. Amen.