The Temptations of Jesus

Heb 4:14-16
In these verses the author of Hebrews shows us a picture of our Lord. Let us look for a few minutes at this picture and see just what Jesus went through to save us all from hell. Remember Jesus had been 40 days without food and he was very hungry.
In Luke 4:1-13 we see Jesus in the wilderness for his firs test. There he is tempted to satisfy the needs of the body before the needs of the soul. The same adversary tried to get him to feed himself as the one who tempts us to gain material satisfaction. He was also tempted to distrust the Father’s care. Jesus said , “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.”
He was tempted to gain worldly power by compromising with and worshiping Satan. The point was brought that yes the Father gave the whole world to the Son but satan controls a large part of it. Satan said, “I will give you control if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said get thee behind me.
Luke 22:42 shows us the picture of Jesus as he looks death in the face. The cup of suffering and dying for sinful man was extended to him. He was tempted to withdraw as the Saviour. In the garden he came face to face with the darkness of sin and death. He prayed for God’s will to be done regardless of the cost.
Matthew 27:40 shows us a picture as Jesus is bleeding to death on the cross that he is challenged once again by the devil. “If thou be the Son of God come down from that cross.” Then the religious crowd came by and mocked him.
What does all this temptation of Jesus mean? The saving of his life would have meant the losing of ours. For with on sin-bearer---no salvation. He yielded not to temptation. He became our high priest to become a mediator between us and God. A greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends. On the cross Jesus became the best friend we will ever have.