Judean Wilderness: Testing of Christ

 

Welcome to the Holy Land and the biblical site of the wilderness area of Judea in the Jericho region. See the Bible come to life as we take a look at some key events that took place here regarding Christ and His temptation in the wilderness.

 

Jesus began His ministry by being baptized by John and then tested in the wilderness.

Matt. 3:13-17: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

 

Following Jesus' baptism, He was immediately led into the wilderness here to be tested.

Luke 4:1-13: “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'" And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you, I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

 

What can we observe and learn about Christ’s baptism and testing in this area of the wilderness?

• Baptism is important and is commanded by God.  It shows our faith in receiving Christ, dying to our old life, and being raised to a new life.

• Another way of looking at the word tempted is tested.

• Christ overcame each test of Satan with the word of God.

• Scripture says that God does not tempt us with sin, but we are led away by our own desires to disobey.

• God tested many of His servants before He called them to ministry.  He tested:

• Moses

• David

• The Prophets

• We are often tested by God as well.

• Scripture says that leaders are to be tested before being placed into office.

• 1 Tim. 3:10 says, “And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

 

What about us?

• Have I been baptized if I am a true believer in Christ?

• Has God tested me in various ways in my lifetime?

• How have I responded to the tests He sends my way?

• Am I serious about reading God’s word?

• 2 Tim. 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

• Do I know God’s word well enough so I know the truth to combat the lies of Satan, the beliefs of our day, and those of others?