"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Temptation Of Jesus (1:12-13)
INTRODUCTION
1. A blessing of Jesus as Savior is His ability to comfort and aid those
who are tempted...
a. This is because He too was tempted - He 2:18
b. He is sympathetic, and can provide mercy and grace to help in time
of need - He 4:14-16
2. One of His greatest periods of temptation was at the beginning of His
public ministry...
a. Immediately following His baptism by John - Mk 1:9-11
b. Just prior to beginning His preaching ministry - Mk 1:14-15
3. Studying "The Temptation Of Jesus" can be fruitful for several
reasons...
a. It reminds us that Jesus can understand our own temptations
b. It reveals how we can be more successful in overcoming temptation
[With that in mind and using Mk 1:12-13 as our basic text, let's begin
with...]
I. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS REVIEWED
A. THE SETTING OF THE TEMPTATION...
1. The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness - Mk 1:12
a. It appears this challenge was initiated by the Spirit
b. The same Spirit who descended upon Him in bodily form as
dove - Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22
c. It was likely the wilderness of Judea, a very desolate place
2. Where he was for forty days - Mk 1:13
a. During which he fasted, like Moses and Elijah - cf. Mt 4:2;
Exo 34:28; 1Ki 19:18
b. During which he was tempted - cf. Lk 4:2
3. Tempted by Satan - Mk 1:13
a. Mark uses the term "Satan" (lit., adversary)
b. Matthew and Luke use the term "devil" (lit., accuser,
slanderer)
4. Mark alone mentions the presence of "wild beasts" - Mk 1:13
a. Animals known to inhabit the area include hyenas, jackals,
panthers, and lions
b. Not known is whether they were a source of comfort or trial
for Jesus (I suspect the latter)
-- For forty days, Jesus experienced desolation, deprivation, and
temptation
B. THE CLIMAX OF THE TEMPTATION...
1. Mark does not record the climax of Satan's temptations at the
end of forty days
2. Both Matthew and Luke do, which we briefly summarize:
a. Satan's appeal to the lust of the flesh - Mt 4:3-4
b. Satan's appeal to the pride of life - Mt 4:5-7
c. Satan's appeal to lust of the eyes - Mt 4:8-10
3. With each temptation, Jesus responds "It is written..." - Mt 4:
4,7,10
-- With the aid of Scripture, Jesus was victorious over Satan!
C. THE END OF THE TEMPTATION...
1. Angels ministered to Jesus - Mk 1:13
a. Exactly what they did is not mentioned
b. Perhaps they provided bodily nourishment (Hendriksen)
2. This would not be the last time
a. That Satan would tempt Jesus - cf. Lk 4:13; Mt 16:21-23
b. That angels would minister to Jesus - cf. Lk 22:43
-- After tribulation came consolation!
[With forty days of overcoming temptation behind Him, Jesus was now
prepared to begin His public ministry. What application might we draw
regarding "The Temptation Of Jesus"...?]
II. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS APPLIED
A. WE HAVE THE SAME ADVERSARY...
1. Jesus was tempted by the devil, and so are we - 1Pe 5:8-9
2. The devil now directs his attention towards the disciples of
Christ - cf. Re 12:17
-- We should not treat him lightly, for the conflict is real! - Ep
6:12
B. WE HAVE SIMILAR TEMPTATIONS...
1. The lust of the flesh - e.g., immorality, especially when young
2. The lust of the eyes - e.g., materialism, especially when
middle-age
3. The pride of life - e.g., pride and arrogance, especially when
elderly
-- These we must overcome, if we wish to have the love of the
Father - 1Jn 2:15-16
C. WE HAVE THE SAME TOOLS TO OVERCOME...
1. Jesus appealed to the Word of God, and so can we - cf. Ep 6:17
2. Jesus had faith in the plan of God (victory through suffering),
we need a similar shield of faith - Ep 6:16; cf. He 10:35-39
3. Jesus undoubtedly prayed, He taught the use of prayer to
overcome temptation - Mt 26:41
-- The Word of God, faith, and prayer...against these the devil
has no chance!
D. WE HAVE SIMILAR BLESSINGS WHEN WE OVERCOME...
1. Jesus was administered to by angels, angels will carry us home
- cf. Lk 16:22
2. Jesus received wonderful blessings when He ultimately overcame
and ascended to heaven; He has promised similar blessings for
us - cf. Re 2:10,26-27; 3:21
-- Angels will minister to us, as heirs of salvation! - He 1:14
E. WE CAN LEARN SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS...
1. Material food alone cannot satisfy, we need spiritual food from
God's Word
2. While we are to trust in the Lord, we should not foolishly
tempt Him
3. Scripture can easily be abused, as well as used - cf. 2Pe 3:16
4. The way to glory is not quick and easy, but long and hard - cf.
Ac 14:22; Ro 2:7
-- The Temptation of Jesus teaches much about serving God!
CONCLUSION
1. Perhaps the greatest lesson from "The Temptation Of Jesus" is that we
have a Savior who in all things was made like us...
a. That He might be our merciful and faithful High Priest - He 2:17
b. That having suffered, being tempted, He can aid us who are tempted
- He 2:18
c. That He might be sympathetic, providing mercy and grace to help in
time of need - He 4:15-16
2. Are you burdened with temptations...?
a. Look to Jesus as your example in learning how to overcome
temptation in your life!
b. Look to Jesus as your High Priest when you need to approach God in
prayer and receive mercy and grace for those times when you
succumbed to temptation!
As in all things, look to Jesus, as the writer to Hebrews exhorts us...
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against
Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
- He 12:2-3
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
