SOAP 04/10/2015; Luke 4:9-11

Today's reading: Luke 4

S) "⁹ And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; ¹⁰ for it is written,

"He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,"

¹¹ and,

"On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone."'"

Luke 4:9-11 (NASB)

O) There is significance in the temptations listed in this passage. Verse 13 says that the devil tempted Jesus in every way, but all of the gospels list the same three temptations, specifically. First, it is regarding provision. Jesus was fasting, so He was naturally hungry. The temptation by satan isn't just about eating during the middle of a fast. Notice he told Jesus to turn a stone to bread. What he was saying without saying it, was that God was not providing for Jesus, so Jesus should take matters into His own hands. The second temptation is similar, in that satan appeals to the human nature to be in charge of his own life. He wasn't just tempted to worship satan, He was tempted to worship himself. i.e., He was tempted to seek power and glory for Himself alone. The temptation promised shared glory, but God is a jealous God and will share His glory with no one (see Isaiah 42:8). Finally, and this is really the goal all along, satan tempts the mortal life of Jesus. The thief mentioned in John 10:10 is satan. Ultimately, his goal is the destruction of God's children. We also see this analogy in Revelation 12:4. Really, since we know that the wages of sin is death (see Romans 6:23), then all temptation to sin is actually a temptation to death, however protracted the path is.


A) Realizing what is at stake is the hardest part of temptation, I think. The natural way is a shortsighted view of desire, and even shortsighted view of consequence. What Jesus did with each temptation, is He immediately went to the end game. He went to the root of each temptation and addressed what was really being said. In the same way, I need to remember that God will sustain me, His glory belongs to Him alone, and He holds my life in His hands.


P) Father, You are sovereign and powerful. You are compassionate and full of lovingkindness. Please forgive me for my sins, and help me to grow in the righteousness I have been given through Jesus Christ. When I am tempted, Lord, through my own flesh or spiritual battle, give me clarity in my mind to see the end game, God. Open my eyes to fully see what's at stake. Open my ears to hear the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Give me the strength to respond according to Your will and call for my life. Be glorified, alone in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.