Lesson 12 – The Temptation of Jesus

The devil tempted Jesus to sin, but Jesus, true God and true man, did not sin. He kept God’s law on our behalf and became the sinless sacrifice for our sins so that we might have forgiveness and new life.

Opening

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, give us wisdom to find influencers who share Your wisdom, and when we do not, give us courage to change direction. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

God Speaks

Follow the directions on the Student Page at the end of the lesson.

Read Luke 4:1-2

Immediately after Jesus' Baptism, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by the devil.

Why did the Spirit lead Jesus to the wilderness (desert)? God's Son didn't fear demons. However, for us and for our salvation, Jesus faced the devil. Jesus resisted temptation and did not sin, fulfilling all righteousness in our place. Then the sinless Christ laid down His life for us.

Why did Jesus fast? Fasting is a spiritual discipline, often combined with focused prayer. Jesus probably used this time to pray and prepare for His public ministry.

After fasting for forty days and nights, how did Jesus feel? Hungry. In two of the three temptations in this account, the devil said, "If You are the Son of God" and then gave a challenge or temptation. The devil knew who Jesus was.

Why do you think he said this? To provoke Jesus to use His divine power inappropriately, to goad Him

As we read the rest of this account, remember, Jesus never used His divine power for personal needs, but always for others' benefit. He perfectly trusted His Father to care for and sustain Him.

TEMPTATION 1

Read verses Luke 4:1-4.

 Describe the temptation: If You are God's Son, make bread from stones. The devil tried to exploit Jesus' hunger and get Him to use divine power. 

The devil wanted Jesus to use His divine power inappropriately to make bread from stones

Instead of trusting His Father to sustain Him.

Bible verse Jesus quoted: Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses explanation to Israel about why God let them become hungry in the wilderness. We don't live only on bread, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Jesus did what we could not when He obeyed His Father and trusted Him for all things. We trust and look to other sources for help instead of trusting God to help us directly or through other people.

TEMPTATION 2

Read Luke 4:5-8

 Describe the temptation: Worship me; I’ll give You all the world's kingdoms.

The devil tried to exploit Jesus by suggesting an easier way to save the world than suffering and dying on the cross.

The devil wanted Jesus to use His divine power inappropriately to take a shortcut to save the world instead of trusting God's plan.

Bible verse Jesus quoted: Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:12, 20; 1 Samuel 7:3, to worship and serve the Lord only. Jesus' rebuke reminded the devil that he is not a god. There is only one true God to whom to render worship, service, and obedience.

Jesus did what we could not when He worshiped and served only the one true God, His Father. He never sinned; He depended on God for all things. In our sinfulness, we constantly deny God and His work in our lives, serving ourselves and loving the things of this world.

TEMPTATION 3

Read Luke 4:9-12

Describe the temptation: If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from this high spot. God's angels will protect You.

The devil tried to exploit Jesus' power as Son of God by tempting Him to show it appropriately. This is similar to asking someone to shoot a gun just to show its power. In some ways, it appeals to vanity or the desire to be right.

The devil wanted Jesus to use His divine power inappropriately to throw Himself down and have angels catch Him instead of trusting and using His power appropriately.

Bible verse Jesus quoted: Deuteronomy 6:16, not to test God Jesus did what we could not when He did not test God to make sure He keeps His promises. Jesus is evidence that God keeps all of His promises. We question God's intentions and doubt His promises constantly, thus testing Him.

Read Luke 4:13

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. The devil looked for other opportunities to tempt Jesus. God's eternal plan intended for the Son to be tempted and to overcome the devil. Jesus did this for us to fulfill all righteousness and to become the perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins. He is able to help us when we're tempted because He was tempted too (Hebrews 4:15).

 

We Live

Continue with the next section on the Student Page

In passive obedience, Jesus let things happen to Himself in obedience to His Father, like a lamb led to slaughter. Which actions would this include? Jesus' arrest, trials, suffering, and crucifixion

In active obedience, Jesus did everything demanded of humans before He became the willing sacrifice for our sins. Which actions would this include?  Rejecting temptation, being baptized, living without sin to fulfill every part of the Law for us. We usually give in to temptation, even though God promises to help us resist. But we can strengthen our ability to resist.

What spiritual resources help us resist temptation? Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 (on Student Page). Interacting with the means of God's grace-remembering our Baptism, hearing God's Word, and taking Communion-strengthens us to resist the devil, even if we don't feel it.

Church attendance is important, but God also wants us in His Word daily. These are ways we hear God's Word. We pray to tell Him our concerns and ask for the Holy Spirit's help in decision making, temptation resisting, and living the faith.

How can having Christian role models and friends influence you and help you resist temptation? Provides support through guidance and encouragement.  Hold one another accountable.

How can praying the Lord's Prayer help us to resist temptation? We ask God to deliver us from evil and not lead us into temptation. God answers these prayers.

Closing

Read  Luther's Morning  Prayer (on the Student Page).

Prayer:  I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.