"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"The Temptation Of Jesus (1:12-13)INTRODUCTION1. A blessing of Jesus as Savior is His ability to comfort and aid those who are tempted...a. This is because He too was tempted - He 2:18b. He is sympathetic, and can provide mercy and grace to help in time of need - He 4:14-162. One of His greatest periods of temptation was at the beginning of His public ministry...a. Immediately following His baptism by John - Mk 1:9-11b. Just prior to beginning His preaching ministry - Mk 1:14-153. Studying "The Temptation Of Jesus" can be fruitful for several reasons...a. It reminds us that Jesus can understand our own temptationsb. It reveals how we can be more successful in overcoming temptation[With that in mind and using Mk 1:12-13 as our basic text, let's begin with...]I. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS REVIEWEDA. THE SETTING OF THE TEMPTATION...1. The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness - Mk 1:12a. It appears this challenge was initiated by the Spiritc. It was likely the wilderness of Judea, a very desolate place2. Where he was for forty days - Mk 1:13a. During which he fasted, like Moses and Elijah - cf. Mt 4:2; Exo 34:28; 1Ki 19:18 b. During which he was tempted - cf. Lk 4:2 3. Tempted by Satan - Mk 1:13a. Mark uses the term "Satan" (lit., adversary)b. Matthew and Luke use the term "devil" (lit., accuser,slanderer)4. Mark alone mentions the presence of "wild beasts" - Mk 1:13a. Animals known to inhabit the area include hyenas, jackals,panthers, and lionsb. Not known is whether they were a source of comfort or trialfor Jesus (I suspect the latter)-- For forty days, Jesus experienced desolation, deprivation, and temptationB. THE CLIMAX OF THE TEMPTATION...1. Mark does not record the climax of Satan's temptations at the end of forty daysa. Satan's appeal to the lust of the flesh - Mt 4:3-42. Both Matthew and Luke do, which we briefly summarize:b. Satan's appeal to the pride of life - Mt 4:5-7c. Satan's appeal to lust of the eyes - Mt 4:8-10 3. With each temptation, Jesus responds "It is written..." - Mt 4: 4,7,10 -- With the aid of Scripture, Jesus was victorious over Satan!C. THE END OF THE TEMPTATION...1. Angels ministered to Jesus - Mk 1:13a. Exactly what they did is not mentionedb. Perhaps they provided bodily nourishment (Hendriksen)2. This would not be the last timea. That Satan would tempt Jesus - cf. Lk 4:13; Mt 16:21-23b. That angels would minister to Jesus - cf. Lk 22:43 -- After tribulation came consolation![With forty days of overcoming temptation behind Him, Jesus was nowprepared to begin His public ministry. What application might we drawregarding "The Temptation Of Jesus"...?]II. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS APPLIEDA. WE HAVE THE SAME ADVERSARY...1. Jesus was tempted by the devil, and so are we - 1Pe 5:8-92. The devil now directs his attention towards the disciples ofChrist - cf. Re 12:17-- We should not treat him lightly, for the conflict is real! - Ep 6:12B. WE HAVE SIMILAR TEMPTATIONS...1. The lust of the flesh - e.g., immorality, especially when young2. The lust of the eyes - e.g., materialism, especially when3. The pride of life - e.g., pride and arrogance, especially whenmiddle-age elderly-- These we must overcome, if we wish to have the love of theFather - 1Jn 2:15-16C. WE HAVE THE SAME TOOLS TO OVERCOME...1. Jesus appealed to the Word of God, and so can we - cf. Ep 6:172. Jesus had faith in the plan of God (victory through suffering),we need a similar shield of faith - Ep 6:16; cf. He 10:35-393. Jesus undoubtedly prayed, He taught the use of prayer to overcome temptation - Mt 26:41 -- The Word of God, faith, and prayer...against these the devil has no chance!D. WE HAVE SIMILAR BLESSINGS WHEN WE OVERCOME...1. Jesus was administered to by angels, angels will carry us home cf. Lk 16:222. Jesus received wonderful blessings when He ultimately overcameand ascended to heaven; He has promised similar blessings for us - cf. Re 2:10,26-27; 3:21-- Angels will minister to us, as heirs of salvation! - He 1:14E. WE CAN LEARN SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS...1. Material food alone cannot satisfy, we need spiritual food from God's Wordtempt Him2. While we are to trust in the Lord, we should not foolishly3. Scripture can easily be abused, as well as used - cf. 2Pe 3:16-- The Temptation of Jesus teaches much about serving God!CONCLUSION1. Perhaps the greatest lesson from "The Temptation Of Jesus" is that wehave a Savior who in all things was made like us...a. That He might be our merciful and faithful High Priest - He 2:17b. That having suffered, being tempted, He can aid us who are tempted - He 2:18c. That He might be sympathetic, providing mercy and grace to help intime of need - He 4:15-162. Are you burdened with temptations...?a. Look to Jesus as your example in learning how to overcometemptation in your life!b. Look to Jesus as your High Priest when you need to approach God inprayer and receive mercy and grace for those times when you succumbed to temptation!"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, whoAs in all things, look to Jesus, as the writer to Hebrews exhorts us...for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despisingthe shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.""For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
November 6, 2020
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" The Temptation Of Jesus (1:12-13) by Mark Copeland
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