A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 2: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I 55

b. God the Father brings Israel with a strong hand out of Egypt, Num. 24.8 – God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows.

c. Direct association ( recapitulation ) of Jesus with the nation Israel, Hos. 11.1 – When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

B. The nature of the Temptation

Heb. 2.17-18 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. [18] For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Heb. 4.15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1. Jesus’ temptation was a true temptation , not merely a false invite to sin.

a. Grueling 40 day fast in the desert

b. The devil’s timing in the temptation

c. Not mere formality; authentic temptation of his person

2. Demonic casting of doubt on the Sonship of Jesus Christ

a. If you are the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread.

(1) Solicited Jesus to abuse of power

(2) Jesus’ reply: Deut. 8.3 – And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live