Temptation Defeated

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Mark 1:12-13

• Mark mentions four things…

1. Jesus was drove into the wilderness for 40 days.

2. Jesus was tempted by Satan.

3. Jesus was among wild animals.

4. Jesus had angels ministering to Him.

• This is a significant event in the life of Jesus and allows for us to see the human side of Jesus.

• But there is more to this story.

• Mark only gives us some of what happened.

• It’s the cliff notes version, there is a lot that happened though.

• Mark doesn’t dive into the details. This is why it’s important to read all the Bible, not just some.

• Jesus not only was driven into the wilderness for 40 days, but he fasted the entire time.

• Fasting for Jesus was real fasting…not what we do today.

• Jesus did not eat or drink.

• That’s why in Matthew and Luke 4:2 (for both) it says “he was hungry”.

• While fasting for 40 days in the wilderness he was also being tempted by Satan (the Devil).

• Remember that Jesus went immediately into the wilderness (which in Hebrew also translates as desert).

• Jesus didn’t prepare by going home and packing a bag.

• He was driven into the wilderness with just what He had on His back.

• Remember Jesus sent His disciples out the same way, with just what they had.

• Jesus was exposed to the elements around Him.

• Hot during the day (highs of 85°)

• Cold at night (lows of 65°)

• Wild Animals:

• Hippopotamus (Water areas)

• Crocodiles (Water areas)

• Venomous snakes

• Scorpions

• Lions

• Bears

• Leopards

• Hyenas

• Jackyls

• Wolves

• Wild Boar

• As if not eating or drinking, facing the elements and wild animals weren’t enough.

• Jesus had to contend directly with the devil himself.

• We don’t face the devil to his face like Jesus did.

• We are affected by the devil and his demons but not like Jesus was.

• We hear of three temptations Jesus faced.

• “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

• “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

• 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

• Jesus speaks from the book of Deuteronomy when responding to Satan.

• Satan attempt to lure Jesus into sin didn’t work.

• I feel like I would have responded differently, which is why I’m not Jesus.

• I would have said “If I’m the Son of God, I’ll show you who is the Son of God”.

• And then I would have sinned and the devil would have won.

• Pay attention to this though…

• When Jesus said “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

• Jesus said Be Gone and Satan had to leave.

Temptation is defeated because…

• There is power in the voice of Jesus Christ.

• There is mercy in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

• There is Salvation in the Blood of Jesus Christ.