We see that “the temptation narrative is a commentary on the course of Jesus' ministry.” The temptation reveals the true nature of Jesus. He had steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem and for his crucifixion.

After Jesus had fasted and prayed for 40 days, the devil tempted him and said, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread”(Luke 4:3). Jesus replied, “It is written man shall not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4).

Jesus said elsewhere, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work” (Luke 4:34). Jesus was saying his spiritual hunger for the will of God transcended any physical hunger for bread. Physical bread satisfied physical hunger only temporarily, but spiritual food lasted forever.

In the second temptation, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and said to him, “I will give you all these if you worship me. Jesus answered the devil.”

“It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:5-8). This illustrates that the devil is a liar in the first place, because the kingdoms were not his to give. Jesus meets the second temptation as he did the first. “It is written.”

The Word of God was written upon Jesus' heart, and that deflected the temptation. The devil in the third temptation took Jesus to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will give his angels charge of you to guard you.”(Luke 4:9-11). Jesus answered him, “It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” (Luke 4:12).

It becomes clear that Jesus met all three temptations with, “It is written.” The Word was written in bold letters in Jesus' heart, and that spelled victory for him over the temptations of the devil. Jesus was not alone in temptation, “but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

We can meet our temptations with the Word of God, written upon our hearts, and know the victory Jesus knew.



W. Aubrey Alsobrook is a retired Methodist minister, and he lives in Americus.