The Advantage of Adversity, Luke 4:1-15

A difficult period of time is often symbolically referred to as a wilderness journey depicting the children of Israel wondering in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land. Most Christians remember several difficult periods in their lives. Walnut Creek is in the midst of a difficult period grieving the loss of our former pastor and looking forward to the coming of the new man God chose to lead WCBC. The space between the two events—the interim—is comparable to a wilderness journey. Jesus endured victoriously His own wilderness journey depicted in Luke 4:1-15 leaving an example for His disciples to follow.
Luke states that Jesus was filled (abounding) with the Holy Spirit and led (carried) by the Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. Satan attacks at our weakest point offering physical necessities. Jesus fasted in the wilderness forty days and nights taking spiritual nourishment from the Father, but no physical nourishment. As a man, the Lord was physically weak from hunger and satan took advantage of the situation. Challenged to transform stones to bread, Jesus answered using scripture gaining spiritual and physical strength from the Word of God. In addition, satan offered something that Jesus already possessed. Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life,” John 6:35. Dependence on God’s Word strengthened the Lord then and, in the same way, strengthens mankind today.
Satan’s second attempt offered Jesus authority over all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for satanic worship appealing to man’s social need to be accepted and respected by his peers as well as attempting to cause covetousness and the desire for power over others. Jesus again answered using scripture saying that God alone is worthy of worship, praise, and service. Again, satan offered Jesus something that He already possessed. He is King of kings and Lord of lords forever and ever amen!
Satan tries unsuccessfully to counterfeit the things of God. His greatest desire is to be like the Most High God. The Father implanted the knowledge of Himself within mankind, Romans 1:19-20. Therefore, men have the spiritual need to worship the Creator—to trust in someone bigger than ourselves. Satan wants that worship for himself.
The third temptation is one designed to cause Jesus to test God. He wants Jesus to intentionally dare God to perform a miracle. A second spiritual need common to man is the need to see God’s hand at work daily. And again Jesus uses scripture to thwart satan’s plan. Satan reminds Jesus that God sends angels to protect His people. Satan can also quote (or more accurately, misquote) scripture. Again, this is something that Jesus already possesses—authority over angels and mankind.
Satan’s mistake was focusing on Jesus’ humanity disregarding His deity. It is important to note that according to verse two, Jesus was tempted for forty days and nights. Only three temptations are included in scripture for our benefit. Finally, Jesus wins the victory and satan leaves him “…until an opportune time…” Satan’s temptations are never over. He just retreats until another weak moment—a moment when he thinks that he can persuade one to sin. Focusing on Jesus’ deity disregarding our humanity and gaining physical and spiritual strength using God’s Word will gain the victory for us as well. And who knows? The thing that we are being tempted with may already be ours! The Father has promised that He will fulfill all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19.
The Advantage of Adversity is found in the final verses of the passage revealing the reward for resisting satan and obedience to the Lord. Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, He taught the people, and they glorified Him. Following Jesus’ example we must be filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and resist satan using God’s Word. After which we can teach others about Jesus in the Power of the Spirit, Jesus will be glorified and souls will be saved. Therefore, Walnut Creek collectively and individually can look forward in excited anticipation to what God will do next on this hill, in each home, and in this community.