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Temptation of Jesus (2)

If Jesus could not sin then how can his temptation be real? How can the Bible say ‘he was tempted in every way we are’? Surely, temptation, if it is to be real and personally costly, must imply the possibility of defeat? Is not temptation (or trial) only such if it may mean succumbing to the temptation (or failing in the trial)?

Nevertheless, if it is certain that Jesus, by virtue of a new creational human nature, his support by the Spirit, and because he is a divine person, is unable to sin and therefore unable to be defeated by testing, it is equally certain that he was tempted in his faith to an extent that none other has been not will be. He is the pioneer and perfecter of faith – taking human faith into territories of testing that it had never before ventured, and triumphing in them (Hebs 12); and at a cost beyond that experienced by any other man. It is this experience of extreme testing that supremely qualifies him to support tested Christians today and enables him to be ‘touched by our vulnerabilities (infirmities, weaknesses)’ as he does so (Hebs 4:15).

Perhaps it is best to tackle temptation in Jesus by first making some general observations regarding temptation.

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About John

Hi there - I am a member of Greenview and have been for over 20 years. For a number of these years I functioned as an elder, however, indifferent health forced me to take more of a back seat. I see this as an opportunity to do a little writing, often focussing on issues that are a matter of evangelical debate today. Naturally the views expressed are my own and may not reflect the views of the elders or church at large, though differences are likely to be in the detail and not the substance.

These articles and sermons were written partly to clarify my own thoughts and partly with the intention of provoking thought in others who may read them. If you read one I hope you find it stimulating. Please feel free to give me feedback or discuss my articles in the forums.

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