Luke 4:1–13. This episode is generally referred to as “The Temptation of Jesus” … but we shouldn’t think that this was the only occasion on which he was tempted. It is a notable event in the life of Jesus as he begins his public life, and one in which he is to be clearly identified with the nation of Israel, among whom he is being revealed.

Whenever we are tempted to do something we ought not to do, our faith is being tested. We know that God will never tempt us to do anything contrary to his ways, but he will allow us to be tested. The devil only tempts us to try to bring us down, but God might test us to prove our faith.

So Jesus was being tempted by the devil. His purpose was to bring Jesus down, destroy him, and deter him from his mission. But the true purpose of this episode was for the Spirit of God to prove his identity as the Son of God and to prepare him for the mission of God.

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