The Temptation of Jesus

Introduction
Think of the wealth of a billionaire like Bill Gates—yachts, cars, planes, houses, medical care, and endless luxuries. What good does all of that do for you or me? None—unless we can learn how he gained it, or unless he is willing to share it with us.

Hebrews 4:15 says of Jesus, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” His victory over temptation is not simply an example beyond our reach. It is both a guide for us to follow and a source of strength, for He willingly shares His success with us. From His temptation we learn how to resist Satan, and we gain confidence that He stands ready to help us.

The Temptations Jesus Endured Were Real
The tempter was real. Satan is not a myth or a fairy tale. He spoke to Jesus and Jesus spoke back to him. Matthew 4:3 says Satan “came to Him,” and verse 11 says he “left Him.” Peter later warned in 1 Peter 5:8 that our adversary the devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Jesus’ vulnerability was real. After fasting forty days, He was hungry (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2). Hunger makes anyone physically weak and more susceptible to temptation. Just as lions attack the weak in a herd, Satan came at Jesus in His weakness. His humanity was not an illusion—He truly felt the pangs of hunger.

The appeals were real. 1 John 2:16 describes the three avenues of temptation: the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes. Jesus endured all three.

• Lust of the flesh: Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3).

• Pride of life: Satan tempted Him to throw Himself from the temple pinnacle to prove He was God’s Son (Matthew 4:5–6).

• Lust of the eyes: Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship (Matthew 4:8–9).

Luke 4:13 reminds us that Satan left Him only “for a season.” Temptations return when we are weak. They did not bounce off Jesus like bullets off Superman. They were real and attractive, but He refused to yield.

Why the Temptation of Jesus Was Necessary
First, His example shows us how to resist. Every time Satan attacked, Jesus answered with, “It is written.” He relied on Scripture, not human reasoning. Psalm 119:9–16 tells us that God’s Word keeps us pure. When Satan twisted Scripture, Jesus corrected him with truth in context. We must know, trust, and obey the Word of God.

Second, His experience qualifies Him to help us when we are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 says He suffered when tempted and is able to help those who are tempted. Hebrews 4:15 says He is our sympathetic High Priest. When we need help, we go to those who understand—mechanics for cars, doctors for sickness, accountants for finances. For temptation, we turn to Jesus, who knows by experience what it feels like.

Third, His sinlessness qualified Him to be our sacrifice. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says He knew no sin, yet was made sin for us so we might be made righteous. A lamb without blemish was required in sacrifice (1 Peter 1:17–19). Jesus was that perfect Lamb.

Fourth, He regained for us what Adam lost. Adam was tempted in the paradise of Eden, failed, and was cast into the wilderness. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, triumphed, and opened the way back to eternal paradise. Where Adam fell, Jesus stood.

Conclusion
You and I are not always successful in temptation. We stumble, fall, and give in at times. But Jesus was victorious, and through Him we can also have victory. A billionaire’s wealth does us no good unless he shares it. Jesus shares the riches of His triumph freely with us, giving us strength to endure and a kingdom to inherit.

Like the boy in “The Race” poem, we may fall again and again. But the Father urges us to rise each time. Victory is not found in never stumbling, but in getting up and pressing on. Through Christ, we can run the race, endure temptation, and finish with the crown of life.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline: The Temptation of Jesus

Introduction

• Wealth of others does not benefit unless shared.

• Jesus’ triumph over temptation benefits us (Hebrews 4:15).

I. The Temptations Jesus Endured Were Real

• The tempter was real (Matthew 4:3, 11; 1 Peter 5:8).

• Jesus’ vulnerability was real (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2).

• The appeals were real (1 John 2:16).

  • Lust of the flesh (Matthew 4:3).

  • Pride of life (Matthew 4:5–6).

  • Lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:8–9).

• Luke 4:13—temptation returned in season.

II. Why the Temptation of Jesus Was Necessary

1. His example shows us how to resist.

   • “It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).

   • Psalm 119:9–16—word keeps pure.

2. His experience qualifies Him to help us.

   • Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15.

   • Jesus knows temptation firsthand.

3. His sinlessness qualified Him as sacrifice.

   • 2 Corinthians 5:21.

   • 1 Peter 1:17–19—without blemish.

4. He regained for us what Adam lost.

   • Adam fell in paradise, banished to wilderness.

   • Jesus overcame in wilderness, opened way to paradise.

Conclusion

• We fail, but Jesus prevailed.

• He shares His victory with us.

• We must rise again each time we fall.

Call to Action

Satan will return in seasons of weakness, but Jesus has shown us how to resist—cling to the Word, rely on God, and trust in His strength. When you fall, rise again. Look to Jesus, your sympathetic High Priest, and press on to the crown of life.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

• Temptation is real and appeals to flesh, pride, and eyes (1 John 2:16).

• Jesus overcame by Scripture—“It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).

• His victory enables Him to help us (Hebrews 2:18).

• His sinlessness made Him the perfect sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21).

• He regained what Adam lost, opening paradise for us (1 Peter 1:18–19).

Scripture Reference List

• Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus tempted as we are, without sin.

• Matthew 4:1–11 – Temptation account.

• 1 Peter 5:8 – Satan is real and dangerous.

• Luke 4:2, 13 – Jesus hungry; Satan returned in season.

• 1 John 2:16 – Lust of flesh, pride of life, lust of eyes.

• Psalm 119:9–16 – Word keeps one pure.

• Hebrews 2:18 – Jesus helps those tempted.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – Jesus made sin for us.

• 1 Peter 1:17–19 – Lamb without blemish.

Prepared by Travis Main