In his humanity, Jesus was tempted just like other people. It’s interesting that the things the devil suggested to Jesus were not wrong in themselves. There was no harm in turning stones to bread if he was hungry. Jumping off the temple seemed harmless enough since Jesus would not be hurt. And of course, Jesus already had all power over the world. So where was the wrong? Simply this: anything that does not honour God is a sin. Jesus’ victory is his promise that now you also have his power over sin and Satan.
The Temptation of Jesus
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterwards when they were completed, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, speak to this stone that it may become bread.”
Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'”
Then the devil, leading Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; because it has been given to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! It is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are God’s Son, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over You, to guard You,’ “and, ‘In their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ”
Now when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-14
