Illustration results for Temptation of Christ
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notice Satan’s version of grace - it had an IF clause attached to it. [[This reminds me of the many ploys out there today - get 400 dollars of free merchandise - IF you sign up for MSN for three years. No money down - no interest for 12 months - you can own a new car NOW! But all you have to do is make payments for the next five years! It’s not exactly as free as you thought! ]] Satan said, “I’ll give you ALL these kingdoms, if you bow down and worship me!”
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"One of the aboriginal tribes of the South Seas has a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood called a "walkabout." A boy coming to puberty is sent into the jungle for six weeks without food, shelter or weapons. During this time, he must test all of the survival skills he has learned during childhood. He must also be creative when he meets the unexpected. Talk about final examination! One mistake and he is dead. If, however, he survives to walk out of the jungle, he returns to a celebration that honors him as a man, a hunter and a warrior". (David L. McKenna. The Communicator’s Commentary Series: Mark. Volume 2. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1982, p. 41). The testing in the wilderness was Jesus’ equivalent of a "walkabout". Jesus went into His "walkabout" filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1). And when Jesus left the wilderness, He returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee (Luke 4:14).
TEMPTATION DOESN'T ALWAYS END IN FAILURE
The same Spirit that came down from heaven like a dove now led Jesus into the desert so He could be tempted by Satan. Why?
Have you ever felt that you have been unjustly persecuted? Have you ever felt passed over, left behind, cast away or just can't seem to get ahead? All I can tell you is that God knows YOUR struggles. Why even put Jesus in a position where he would even interact with Satan? Satan was the head Angel who rebelled in heaven and was cast out. Why give him the time of day?
In the NIV Study Bible the commentary says this about Jesus being led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.
"For Christ to accomplish God's will, He had to face Satan and prevail.....
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