“Every Temptation” | Luke 4:1-13
Review of St. Luke’s Gospel
I. The Holy Spirit is at work preparing the way for the One who would bring salvation to the world.
II. The child Jesus growing in wisdom, stature, and favor—raised by parents who, in an ordinary faith model what it means to trust and obey Yahweh.
III. The multitudes come to John for baptism, and even Jesus himself foreshadows the reason He came into the world.
Luke 4:1-13 (ESV)
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.’”
9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him 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,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
I. Identity: Son of God
• Jesus, the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat…
• The son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David…
• The son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham…
• The son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech…
• The son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God…
II. Identity: A New Adam, A New Israel, A New Man
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22, ESV)
III. Confounding Statements
a. Jesus was “full of the Spirit.”
b. Jesus was “led by the Spirit.”
III. Confounding Statements
c. Jesus was “tempted.”
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13, ESV)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:12-15, ESV)
IV. The Battle for Identity
Jesus’ temptation was about more than just resisting sin—it was an assault on His identity.
The Temptation of the Flesh: “Turn these stones into bread.” (Luke 4:3-4)
Attack on Identity: If you are the Son of God, prove it by providing for yourself.
The Temptation of the Eyes: “I will give you all the kingdoms of the world.” (Luke 4:5-8)
Attack on Identity: If you are the Son of God, take the crown without the cross.
The Temptation of Pride: “Throw yourself down from the temple.” (Luke 4:9-12)
Attack on Identity: If you are the Son of God, make God prove it.
Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.
Where Israel failed, Jesus was faithful.
Where we fall, Jesus stands firm
Bottom Line: When we face temptation, we don’t fight for victory—we fight from victory.
The Gospel: Turning Wilderness into Gardens
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS
Leader Review: As we dive into today’s discussion, we’re going to reflect on Luke 4:1-13, where Jesus is led into the wilderness, faces temptation, and ultimately triumphs over sin. In the garden, Adam faced temptation and failed, bringing sin into the world. In the wilderness, Jesus faced temptation and triumphed, securing victory for us. As we explore these contrasts, we’ll see that when we face temptation, we don’t fight for victory—we fight from victory, because Jesus has already won the battle.
Identity and Sonship:
• How does understanding Jesus’ divine identity as the Son of God shape our understanding of His mission and victory over temptation?
The Role of the Holy Spirit:
• Why do you think the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, a desolate place? How might this reflect how the Holy Spirit leads us into times of trial or solitude to strengthen our faith?
Temptation and Trials:
• Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness, much like Adam faced it in the garden. What do we learn about temptation from this contrast?
• Follow-up Question: When we face trials and temptations, we often feel as though we’re fighting to win. But in Christ, we fight from victory, not for it. What does this mean for how we approach spiritual battles?
• James says that those who remain steadfast under trial are blessed. How does this verse help us understand the purpose of trials in our faith journey? What role does steadfastness play in resisting temptation?
The New Adam vs. the First Adam:
• What do we learn from Jesus as the new Adam, in contrast to the first Adam who failed? How does His victory over temptation offer us hope in our struggles with sin? How does this reinforce the reality that in Christ, our salvation is secure because He succeeded where Adam failed?
Personal Reflection:
• Looking back on your own journey of faith, were there times you’ve felt ‘led into the wilderness’—times of testing or trial? How did God use those moments to shape your faith? In those wilderness moments, how did you experience God’s grace and His victory in your life, even in the midst of struggle?
Prayer: As we end, let’s pray that we would live in the power of Christ’s victory, not striving to earn God’s favor, but resting in the finished work of Jesus. May we trust Him more fully, knowing that we are called to fight temptation from His victory, not our own strength.