“Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, BEING TEMPTED (peirazō: to test one with intent to do harm.) FOR FORTY DAYS BY THE DEVIL. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2)
As many times as I have read this over the past 50 years, today, this phrase “jumped out” at me. Jesus was “…being tempted for FORTY DAYS by the devil.” I always understood, “The devil said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone but by EVERY Word of God.'” The devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and SERVE HIM ONLY.'” The devil led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Jesus until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:3-13)
“…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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may OBTAIN MERCY AND FIND GRACE to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16) So, we can be sure of this, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will NOT ALLOW you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the WAY OF ESCAPE, that YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT.” (1 Corin. 10:13)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham