Two of the gospel writers include the account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness: Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13). Matthew’s primary mission seemed to have been to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, the fulfillment of the promise of God for a Deliverer. Luke, on the other hand, uses the phrase “Son of Man” more than any other. In so doing, he connects Jesus with all of humanity as the Savior miraculously born of a woman.

These two purposes come together in their narratives of the temptations of Christ. Jesus endured suffering and trials just like the rest of His people. But He did so without sin. That means He can show us the way through temptation and deliver us from its power when we do sin. For “He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:17-18).

Temptation is something that is certain. That means we had best prepare for it. How can this historical record of the Son of God be a source of help for all sons of men?

Be sure that the devil will find you. Though he is certainly not omniscient, he knew where Jesus was. In the beginning, the enemy had no trouble tracking down the first man and woman in the garden of Eden. If the serpent of old was not afraid to slither up to Jesus, what makes you think he is scared of you? Peter describes him as one who “prowls around...seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

In so doing, he seeks an opportunity. Jesus was hungry from His forty-day fast. The devil didn’t tempt Him first with illicit pleasure or covetousness. “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:3). He wants you to satisfy whatever need or craving you have at the time. But when we look to Jesus, He reminds us that “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

You can withstand with what is written. Were Jesus able to use His deity or supernatural powers to thwart the attempts of the evil one, that wouldn’t aid us very much in temptation. Remember, He is a high priest who can “sympathize with our weaknesses,” who was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). The Son of Man relied on what is available to all when He said, “It is written” (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10). He is, after all, the Word.

Whatever your plans or resolutions are for the new year, I hope they include some form of regular, even daily, Bible reading. With all of the tools that are available in this age, we certainly are without excuse. The Scriptures are what furnish us with “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). When we look to Jesus, we see that He readily called them to mind and made them applicable to His situation. A sword that stays in its sheath is sure to bring about defeat.

Never neglect to keep your guard up. After the final temptation, Jesus commanded the devil, “Begone, Satan” (Matt. 4:10)! He had answered him on every front and called on him to flee. According to Luke, the devil did leave, but only “until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).

What a powerful assurance to know that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us (Jam. 4:7). But even when he runs away, it is only so he can regroup for a second attack. He was not finished with Jesus; he just waited for his next opportunity. And such a time may come for you when you’re not looking for him. When we look to Jesus, we see that He was ever careful to keep the devil behind Him (Matt. 16:23).

We fight a formidable foe. He is sure to make his presence known in our lives again. But “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). So “look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.”

Bubba Garner