Synopsis
The common thread to all three temptations faced by Jesus was the invitation to take a short cut...is this not true of many of the temptations we face as well? We'll see how Jesus was able to withstand them and learn from him.
Scripture
We are tempted to take short cuts
Guys, ever tried to take a short cut when you’re traveling in totally unfamiliar territory? Your wife and children keep saying: “Are you sure you know where you’’re going?” You answer confidently “Oh, yes! Trust me, family, I know this is shorter. Imagine all the money we save on gas when we shave of 100 miles!” Now you’re hoping and praying that a gas station would show up around the bend so you can not only fill the tank, but also find out how to get out of this short cut.
“No money down. Easy monthly payments.” (They don’t tell you that the payments go on past your lifetime and to your grandchildren’s. Try breaking a lease and you’ll find out!)
“It’s just a buck. Buy a ticket. Play the slots. You could win the big one this time. The next time you could get lucky.” (They don’t tell you that you could get addicted big time and blow a fortune, not to mention wreck your marriage and even face criminal charges!)
“Just try our fat-cell eliminating elixir, our corpulence-killing capsules. You don’t need the pain of exercise. Why waste your money on health club memberships? Just take a pill, lay on the couch and watch calories burn as you feast your eyes on Temptation Island.” (They don’t tell you about the possible side effects which could mess up your life worse than you could ever imagine!)
Jesus was tempted to take short cuts
“No money down. Easy monthly payments.” (They don’t tell you that the payments go on past your lifetime and to your grandchildren’s. Try breaking a lease and you’ll find out!)
“It’s just a buck. Buy a ticket. Play the slots. You could win the big one this time. The next time you could get lucky.” (They don’t tell you that you could get addicted big time and blow a fortune, not to mention wreck your marriage and even face criminal charges!)
“Just try our fat-cell eliminating elixir, our corpulence-killing capsules. You don’t need the pain of exercise. Why waste your money on health club memberships? Just take a pill, lay on the couch and watch calories burn as you feast your eyes on Temptation Island.” (They don’t tell you about the possible side effects which could mess up your life worse than you could ever imagine!)
Jesus was tempted to take short cuts
In every one of those three instances, the Tempter was attempting to get Jesus to take A SHORT CUT. Let me explain what I mean.
Jesus had just emerged from the shadows to publicly begin the mission that God had set before him. He has been baptized, declared by a voice from heaven as the Son of God, the one in whom God is well pleased, the one to whom all should listen. Jesus knows that God had sent him to be the Messiah, but not a military Messiah who would use excessive force to liberate the Jews from their oppression under the Romans. Instead he would be the Suffering Servant who was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. As a matter of fact, within a very short period, Jesus would tell his disciples that accomplishing his mission would include suffering, rejection, persecution and ultimately lead to his death.
But the Tempter offers him an alternative. He advises Jesus to follow Plan B, that would help him accomplish the mission of drawing people to God’s cause...without all the pain and suffering of Plan A. Watch how he operates.
The devil offers Jesus temptations which seem, on the surface, harmless enough. They are certainly not temptations to do evil. The devil is just encouraging Jesus to take the easy road in order to show the world that he really is the Son of God. Look, again, at these "harmless" temptations.
Jesus had just emerged from the shadows to publicly begin the mission that God had set before him. He has been baptized, declared by a voice from heaven as the Son of God, the one in whom God is well pleased, the one to whom all should listen. Jesus knows that God had sent him to be the Messiah, but not a military Messiah who would use excessive force to liberate the Jews from their oppression under the Romans. Instead he would be the Suffering Servant who was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. As a matter of fact, within a very short period, Jesus would tell his disciples that accomplishing his mission would include suffering, rejection, persecution and ultimately lead to his death.
But the Tempter offers him an alternative. He advises Jesus to follow Plan B, that would help him accomplish the mission of drawing people to God’s cause...without all the pain and suffering of Plan A. Watch how he operates.
The devil offers Jesus temptations which seem, on the surface, harmless enough. They are certainly not temptations to do evil. The devil is just encouraging Jesus to take the easy road in order to show the world that he really is the Son of God. Look, again, at these "harmless" temptations.
Temptation number one. Not a bad idea, really. Think about it. A lot of good could come from such a move. It would remind the Jewish people of how God fed their ancestors in the desert with manna and help them see Jesus as the Messiah! And, hey, what’s inherently wrong with feeding the hungry anyway? Isn’t it a good thing to do? Isn’t God concerned with the hungry people of this world? Jesus, you’ve got the gift, baby! Put your miraculous powers to good use here and transform this barren tract of land into a booming bakery. Take A SHORT CUT.
Or what about that second temptation? "Worship me," says the devil, "and to you I will give all authority over all earthly kingdoms." In other words, if you do it God’s way, you’re not in charge. I will be dogging you every step of the way, making life miserable for you. Instead, why not make a compromise? Sign right here on the dotted line. And I’ll leave you alone. No one else needs to know that you are in cahoots with me. I’ll make life easy for you. Whaddyasay Jesus? TAKE A SHORT CUT.
Then the devil comes up with a wonderful plan as he takes Jesus to the top of the Jerusalem Temple. Yes, the Jerusalem Temple, that was the focal point of the Jewish faith. It was a crowded place, where people would not miss the action. "Jesus, throw yourself down from here" and let God perform a dramatic rescue. After all, didn’t God promise to break your fall by sending angels to provide you with a safety net? Imagine the publicity this stunt would generate. You can accelerate the process of accomplishing your mission incredibly by pulling off a big one right off the bat, Jesus. Go for it! TAKE A SHORT CUT.
Do you see the point of these three examples? These "harmless" temptations could lead to Jesus being King of the World immediately and easily -- no more preaching to crowds on hillsides or by lakes, no more healing all those sick bodies, no more teaching to those who seem not to understand, and, most important of all, no cross to bear. It would have been the easy way out and it would have led away from Calvary and death. The temptation of Jesus was to choose another way, one that bypassed the cross.
Or what about that second temptation? "Worship me," says the devil, "and to you I will give all authority over all earthly kingdoms." In other words, if you do it God’s way, you’re not in charge. I will be dogging you every step of the way, making life miserable for you. Instead, why not make a compromise? Sign right here on the dotted line. And I’ll leave you alone. No one else needs to know that you are in cahoots with me. I’ll make life easy for you. Whaddyasay Jesus? TAKE A SHORT CUT.
Then the devil comes up with a wonderful plan as he takes Jesus to the top of the Jerusalem Temple. Yes, the Jerusalem Temple, that was the focal point of the Jewish faith. It was a crowded place, where people would not miss the action. "Jesus, throw yourself down from here" and let God perform a dramatic rescue. After all, didn’t God promise to break your fall by sending angels to provide you with a safety net? Imagine the publicity this stunt would generate. You can accelerate the process of accomplishing your mission incredibly by pulling off a big one right off the bat, Jesus. Go for it! TAKE A SHORT CUT.
Do you see the point of these three examples? These "harmless" temptations could lead to Jesus being King of the World immediately and easily -- no more preaching to crowds on hillsides or by lakes, no more healing all those sick bodies, no more teaching to those who seem not to understand, and, most important of all, no cross to bear. It would have been the easy way out and it would have led away from Calvary and death. The temptation of Jesus was to choose another way, one that bypassed the cross.
But Jesus knew...NO CROSS, NO CROWN.
Church Lite?
“Has the heaviness of you old fashioned church got you weighted down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley. Studies have shown we have 24% fewer commitments than other churches. We guarantee to trim off guilt, because we are Low-Cal... low Calvin, that is. We are the home of the 7.5% tithe. We promise 35 minute worship services, with 7 minute sermons. Next Sunday's exciting text is the story of the Feeding of the 500. We have only 6 Commandments-- Your choice!! We use just 3 gospels in our contemporary New Testament *Good Sound Bites for Modern Human Beings*. We take the offering every other week, all major credit cards accepted, of course. Yes, the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley could be just what you are looking for. We are everything you want in a church... and less!!”
Church Lite?
“Has the heaviness of you old fashioned church got you weighted down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley. Studies have shown we have 24% fewer commitments than other churches. We guarantee to trim off guilt, because we are Low-Cal... low Calvin, that is. We are the home of the 7.5% tithe. We promise 35 minute worship services, with 7 minute sermons. Next Sunday's exciting text is the story of the Feeding of the 500. We have only 6 Commandments-- Your choice!! We use just 3 gospels in our contemporary New Testament *Good Sound Bites for Modern Human Beings*. We take the offering every other week, all major credit cards accepted, of course. Yes, the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley could be just what you are looking for. We are everything you want in a church... and less!!”
Jesus was able to avoid shortcuts…2 reasons
He knew the Word of God.
He was filled with the Holy Spirit…fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness…came out in the power of the Holy Spirit.
He knew the Word of God.
He was filled with the Holy Spirit…fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness…came out in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We too can immerse ourselves in God's Word and make time (as in Soaking) to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live in his power as Jesus did.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS
1. Share with the others in your group about a time when you gave in to the temptation to take the easy way out. What happened?
2. Share a time when you did not give in to the temptation. What happened?
3. What could’ve happened had Jesus given in to any one of the 3 temptations?
4. How can you guard against giving in to this temptation (to take the easy way out) in the future? (Hint: What two factors helped Jesus overcome?)
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