WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.040 in Jesus' inauguration of ministry on earth. 00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:06.780 As he begins, Matthew records his birth, his heritage, 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:09.160 and it goes on to his baptism, 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:11.740 which was the first thing he did in his public ministry. 00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:15.480 And the second thing he did was his fasting and temptation. 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:17.019 If you remember Matthew chapter 3, 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:20.760 we have Jesus recorded being baptized by John the Baptist, 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:23.839 and he says this kind of mysterious thing. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:27.859 When John asks and objects to baptizing Jesus, 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:31.939 Jesus responds to him that this is done to fulfill all righteousness. 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:34.280 And there's some mystery in those words, 00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:35.920 but part of what Jesus' meaning there 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:38.679 was that he had to be baptized as our representative, 00:00:39.519 --> 00:00:41.560 as the first fruits of the Christian church. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:44.460 He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:48.299 And then we have Jesus following his baptism to the wilderness, 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:50.239 to the wilderness and temptation. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:53.200 And we can also say that Jesus suffered temptation. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:56.120 He went into the wilderness, the place of testing, 00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:58.159 to fulfill all righteousness. 00:00:58.939 --> 00:01:01.699 He did that for our sakes, like the Catechism teaches us. 00:01:01.859 --> 00:01:04.420 Jesus not only died for our sakes, he lived for our sakes, 00:01:04.739 --> 00:01:07.060 and he suffered temptation all for our sake. 00:01:08.039 --> 00:01:10.500 So when you ask the question, which is a natural one to ask, 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:12.079 why did Jesus have to be tempted? 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:14.379 The scripture here gives us an answer, 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.739 that Jesus was tempted to redeem Israel's failure 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:20.060 when Israel was tested in the wilderness, 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:22.799 that he might come through untouched by temptation. 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:27.659 To be our savior, Jesus had to succeed where Israel had failed. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:30.359 And that's what's recorded in Matthew chapter 4. 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:32.379 And I'm going to read verses 1 through 11. 00:01:32.759 --> 00:01:35.219 If you follow along in your Bibles, I'll read it from the ESV, 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:37.780 which is the translation that's in your worship guides. 00:01:38.759 --> 00:01:41.459 Starting in verse 1, this is the word of the Lord. 00:01:41.459 --> 00:02:08.719 Verse 5. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:28.800 Jesus said to him, 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:29.740 And again, it is written, 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:32.800 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:36.800 And again the devil took him to a very high mountain 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:39.420 and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their glory. 00:02:40.200 --> 00:02:41.240 And he said to him, 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:43.180 All of these I give to you, 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:45.820 if you will fall down and worship me. 00:02:46.980 --> 00:02:48.120 Then Jesus said to him, 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:50.260 Be gone, Satan, for it is written, 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:52.540 You shall worship the Lord your God, 00:02:52.760 --> 00:02:54.420 and him only shall you serve. 00:02:54.419 --> 00:02:56.639 Then the devil left him, 00:02:57.119 --> 00:02:59.399 and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:02.219 May the Lord add his blessing to the reading 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:03.979 and the careful hearing of his word. 00:03:05.799 --> 00:03:06.919 So as we begin, 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:08.699 in verse 1, 00:03:09.219 --> 00:03:11.579 this episode of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:13.599 the passage starts with this. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:15.899 Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness 00:03:15.899 --> 00:03:17.039 to be tempted by the devil. 00:03:17.799 --> 00:03:19.079 And the key words there, 00:03:19.619 --> 00:03:20.879 by the Spirit into the wilderness, 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:23.079 tell us what is happening. 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:26.440 The wilderness in biblical language had a symbol to it. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:28.580 It recalled what Israel endured 00:03:28.580 --> 00:03:30.280 after their redemption from Egypt. 00:03:31.040 --> 00:03:32.880 And the wilderness was a place of testing. 00:03:33.720 --> 00:03:36.000 The wilderness in biblical imagery is a place of testing. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:37.840 And that's what's happening to Jesus. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.640 He's enduring testing to prove his obedience 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:44.020 in the way that Israel was tested in the wilderness. 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:46.740 And it's where Israel failed in the wilderness. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:49.100 If you remember the story of, 00:03:49.180 --> 00:03:51.720 we'll call it the second most spectacular redemption in history, 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:53.359 which is the redemption of Egypt 00:03:53.359 --> 00:03:55.460 or the redemption of Israel from slavery. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:57.479 And you remember from the story of Exodus, 00:03:57.699 --> 00:03:59.520 the ten plagues that culminated 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:01.439 in the death of the firstborn sons of Egypt, 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:05.139 which caused Pharaoh to finally let the Israelites go. 00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:07.139 All the people witnessed that, 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:08.979 the death of the firstborn sons 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:11.340 and the Israelites themselves being protected 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:12.740 from that curse. 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:14.719 Then as they left 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:18.340 and the Israelites were followed by Pharaoh's armies, 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.360 the Lord parted the Red Sea before them, 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:24.120 showing by a magnificent hand and an outstretched arm, 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:24.939 the scripture says, 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.259 how he would deliver them. 00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:28.600 And then after the Red Sea, 00:04:29.340 --> 00:04:30.460 they journeyed in the wilderness, 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:32.920 guided by a pillar of cloud by night, 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:34.780 by day and a pillar of fire by night. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:36.819 While they journeyed, 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:37.960 their clothes didn't fade, 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:39.220 their shoes didn't wear out. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:40.560 When they were hungry, 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:42.660 God gave them bread from heaven to eat. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:43.900 When they were thirsty, 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:46.140 he gave them water out of a dry rock. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:51.020 God gave Israel every gift and grace imaginable 00:04:51.020 --> 00:04:51.760 to sustain them 00:04:51.760 --> 00:04:53.560 through their period of testing in the wilderness. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:54.880 And what did they do? 00:04:55.440 --> 00:04:56.600 How did Israel respond 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:58.040 when they were tested in the wilderness, 00:04:58.200 --> 00:05:00.400 though God sustained them with his gifts? 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:04.300 Israel responded by testing God, 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:06.260 by rejecting God, 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:07.340 by forgetting him. 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:10.339 After all these things were witnessed by the Israelites 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:12.560 and the Lord led them to Mount Sinai, 00:05:12.659 --> 00:05:13.739 they started to worship idols. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:15.719 They had forgotten God already. 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:18.459 Because the Israelites, 00:05:19.119 --> 00:05:21.120 the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 00:05:21.239 --> 00:05:22.560 share the same nature that we do, 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:25.639 the nature that accepts gifts, 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:26.759 that enjoys gifts, 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:28.639 but spurns and forgets the giver. 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:29.939 That's our nature. 00:05:30.299 --> 00:05:31.419 That's what failed in the wilderness. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:33.579 Because we have a nature like the Israelites, 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:35.039 where we will accept gifts, 00:05:35.419 --> 00:05:36.599 but we will spurn the giver. 00:05:38.299 --> 00:05:39.599 There's something we could call, 00:05:40.099 --> 00:05:40.639 that I've coined, 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:42.419 the Christmas afternoon syndrome. 00:05:43.119 --> 00:05:43.979 Parents have seen it. 00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:45.619 Kids, you probably remember it. 00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:47.359 You especially remember the anticipation 00:05:47.359 --> 00:05:48.379 of Christmas morning. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:50.239 Months, maybe you're already thinking 00:05:50.239 --> 00:05:51.199 about your list right now. 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:52.319 Months before Christmas, 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:53.379 you're preparing your list, 00:05:53.599 --> 00:05:55.879 and the anticipation builds to that morning 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:57.339 when you receive your gifts, 00:05:57.659 --> 00:05:58.839 and you open them, 00:05:58.899 --> 00:06:00.239 and it's just what you wanted, hopefully. 00:06:00.859 --> 00:06:01.599 And you're grateful, 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:02.500 and you're happy, 00:06:02.979 --> 00:06:03.959 and you hug your parents, 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:05.139 and you thank them. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:07.259 And then something happens. 00:06:07.419 --> 00:06:08.139 Hours later, 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:10.599 Christmas afternoon strikes. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:13.019 And kids, if you don't remember saying this, 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:13.839 your parents might. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:15.939 What do you do, kids, 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:17.899 when Christmas afternoon comes around? 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.819 Some of you might have said something like this 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:21.579 at least one year. 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:21.959 You say, 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:22.519 I'm bored. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:24.579 So what happened? 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:27.079 What happened between Christmas morning 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:28.800 and Christmas afternoon? 00:06:29.520 --> 00:06:30.920 That joy and that celebration 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:33.180 turned to boredom and frustration. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:35.939 Maybe your parents at that signal said, 00:06:36.020 --> 00:06:37.460 well, it's time to write thank you cards. 00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:39.360 It's time to write thank you cards 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:39.900 to your relatives, 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:42.139 and to you that was just insult to injury. 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:44.300 Oh, I've got to write thank you cards now, 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:46.080 and it just made it worse, right? 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:48.120 Well, what was happening? 00:06:48.580 --> 00:06:50.500 What was happening to that joy that you had 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:52.100 as you received your gifts, 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:54.879 but then you're forced to remember the giver? 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:56.900 You had to write thank you cards 00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:58.699 because your parents are trying to teach you 00:06:58.699 --> 00:06:59.939 about thankfulness, 00:07:00.179 --> 00:07:01.579 and they're trying to give you the lessons 00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:03.039 that only come with time 00:07:03.039 --> 00:07:05.259 where when a person is thankful 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:07.579 and you grow in maturity, 00:07:08.179 --> 00:07:10.159 you enjoy the gifts that remind you of the giver. 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:12.159 You enjoy little knickknacks 00:07:12.159 --> 00:07:13.500 that kids find boring 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:15.539 because they remind you of the person 00:07:15.539 --> 00:07:16.399 that gave them to you. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:17.439 That comes with maturity. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:19.279 Israel was not mature. 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:22.039 Israel was like you kids sometimes 00:07:22.039 --> 00:07:23.259 on Christmas afternoon. 00:07:23.739 --> 00:07:24.859 When you want the gifts, 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:27.379 but you would rather not remember the giver. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:28.840 That's our nature. 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:30.639 That's what failed in the wilderness. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:32.819 That's what Jesus came to redeem, 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:35.180 to recapitulate, 00:07:35.460 --> 00:07:37.040 and that's my theology word for today. 00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:38.379 That's the only theology word 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:39.080 we'll have to remember, 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.100 a recapitulation, 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:42.600 which means to come under another head. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:44.400 Before we go into that, 00:07:44.460 --> 00:07:45.060 we're going to talk about 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.720 what the Lord says 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.259 about Israel's testing in the wilderness 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:50.460 that he explains from Joshua 5. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:52.919 This is Joshua 5, verse 6, 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:55.099 where the Lord describes 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:56.519 the response of the people of Israel. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:57.399 For the people of Israel 00:07:57.399 --> 00:07:58.919 walked 40 years in the wilderness 00:07:58.919 --> 00:08:00.019 until all the nation, 00:08:00.479 --> 00:08:01.919 the men of war who came out of Egypt, 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.539 perished because they did not obey 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:04.419 the voice of the Lord. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:05.799 The Lord swore to them 00:08:05.799 --> 00:08:07.419 that he would not let them see the land 00:08:07.419 --> 00:08:09.039 that the Lord had sworn to their fathers 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:09.759 to give to us, 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:11.539 a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.839 Because of the Israelites' failure 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:14.740 to remember God, 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:16.299 they didn't enter the promised land. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:18.339 The consequences were severe. 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:20.399 Even though they enjoyed the gifts, 00:08:21.039 --> 00:08:22.699 they loved them for their own sake. 00:08:23.419 --> 00:08:24.699 And they received condemnation 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:26.779 for failing the test in the wilderness. 00:08:27.799 --> 00:08:29.279 And we share that condemnation 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:30.759 when we are in Israel, 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:32.919 when we share the nature of Adam. 00:08:34.319 --> 00:08:35.319 So again, you ask, 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.059 why did Jesus have to enter the wilderness? 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:39.019 Why did he have to be tempted? 00:08:39.959 --> 00:08:41.959 The answer is in that theological word, 00:08:42.199 --> 00:08:42.939 recapitulation. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.639 And it just, it's easy to define. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:46.659 It comes from a Latin word 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:47.319 that we know well, 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.240 from a capital, right? 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.960 A capital is the head. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:51.320 So your capital city 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.820 is the capital of a state. 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.919 When you're in battle, 00:08:54.060 --> 00:08:55.080 if the capital falls, 00:08:55.180 --> 00:08:55.940 the nation falls. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:58.399 The capital is a representation of the whole. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:00.220 So recapitulation means 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.740 to put under a new head, 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.960 to recapital. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:05.620 What Jesus did in entering the wilderness 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:07.220 was recapitulate 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:09.019 the wandering of Israel, 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:10.060 the testing of Israel. 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:11.680 Where Israel failed, 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:13.200 under their head, Adam, 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:14.899 Jesus would restore. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:16.120 He would redeem 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:17.919 because He would become the new head. 00:09:18.579 --> 00:09:19.819 He would do the same thing 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:20.939 that Israel did. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.279 He was tested in the wilderness, 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:24.819 but He would be shown approved. 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:26.299 He would recapitulate. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.139 We see it when we look through Isaiah. 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:30.699 Some of you remember a few years ago 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:32.519 when we studied Isaiah in Sunday school. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.500 When you look at starting in Isaiah 42 and 43, 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:38.240 when the word describes the servant of the Lord, 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.740 there are these places 00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:41.879 where Isaiah describes the servant of the Lord 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:42.899 and it's clearly Israel. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.759 And then He changes voice 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:45.860 where that servant of the Lord 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:47.679 is this Holy One who is to come, 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:49.639 this Holy One who they're anticipating. 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.519 And you see it especially in Isaiah chapter 50. 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:53.679 So if you want to follow me there 00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:54.840 in Isaiah chapter 50, 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:55.820 I'll read verse 1 00:09:55.820 --> 00:09:57.820 and then we'll continue on a little bit 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:58.340 in that chapter. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:00.519 Verse 1 in Isaiah 50 starts, 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:03.159 Behold, for your iniquities you were sold 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.519 and for your transgressions 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:06.019 your mother was sent away. 00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:09.120 So there's the servant of the Lord, Israel, 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:10.659 who is rebellious. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:13.299 Who is sold for their transgressions. 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:15.839 But it continues in verse 5 00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:19.620 where the Lord God has opened my ear 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:21.019 and I was not rebellious. 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:22.620 I turned not backward. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:25.079 I gave my back to those who strike 00:10:25.079 --> 00:10:27.139 and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard. 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:30.439 I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:33.480 So here the servant of the Lord is not Israel 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.679 but the one who is to come. 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:37.980 The same servant recapitulated, 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.959 the one who would not turn back, 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.519 the one who is not rebellious. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.259 And it reflects what we're taught in the catechism. 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:46.660 That what did Christ do 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:48.740 to be humiliated in this life? 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:51.420 It was conflicting with the indignities of the world. 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.620 That those who struck his cheeks 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:55.000 and pulled out his beard 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.660 and he hid not his face from disgrace and spitting, 00:10:58.080 --> 00:10:59.720 the indignities of the world he suffered. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:01.420 And he also suffered temptation 00:11:01.420 --> 00:11:04.879 as the servant that Isaiah spoke about. 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:07.740 So Christ recapitulated the temptation 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.799 in the wilderness for us. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:09.480 Why? 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:11.539 Because of what Paul says in Romans 8, 4. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:14.340 In order that the righteous requirement of the law 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:15.559 might be fulfilled in us 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:17.779 for us who now walk according to the spirit 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:19.580 and not according to the flesh. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:21.419 Christ went into the wilderness, 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:23.039 the place of testing, 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.720 to redeem the failure of our nature, 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.820 the nature that we inherited with Adam. 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:30.200 So let's go on to verse 2. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.460 Verse 2 begins to describe the conditions 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:34.500 that were set in Jesus' temptation. 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.040 It says, 00:11:36.280 --> 00:11:38.480 after fasting 40 days and 40 nights, 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:39.300 he was hungry. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:42.480 Now there's probably not many of us, 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.200 if any of us, 00:11:43.280 --> 00:11:45.120 who have endured a 40-day fast. 00:11:45.780 --> 00:11:48.060 A 40-day fast is humanly possible, 00:11:48.680 --> 00:11:50.379 but it brings you basically 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.220 to the brink of physical starvation. 00:11:52.540 --> 00:11:53.700 That's where Jesus was. 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:55.920 The limit of human weakness. 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:58.080 There isn't much longer you can go 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:00.620 without food and water after 40 days. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:04.440 Jesus was at the limit of his human weakness. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.620 And in the limit of that weakness, 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.320 he remained obedient. 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:10.659 That's what made it a test. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.799 That's what made this temptation a testing. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.720 And the word that you have translated 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.279 in your Bibles that's maybe translated temptation, 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.320 it also has the sense of testing. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:21.080 And that's an important sense 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.519 because that's really what's happening here 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:23.080 in this passage. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.840 Jesus himself not being tempted, 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.460 Jesus was being tested 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:29.560 to be proven as the one who would obey, 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:31.660 who would obey in the wilderness. 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:34.879 It's because Jesus was not tempted 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.940 in the same way that we are, 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.220 namely tempted with sin, 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:39.660 that he can be our savior. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.280 So that's important. 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.680 Though Satan brought temptation, 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:45.240 Jesus himself was not tempted 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:47.720 because he has no sinful desires. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.580 If you want proof of that, 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.960 you look at James chapter one. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:53.460 James chapter one in verse 13 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.820 says, 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.259 let no one say when he is tempted, 00:12:56.400 --> 00:12:57.480 I am being tempted by God. 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.040 For why? 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:00.340 For God cannot be tempted with evil. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:03.379 Remember Jesus being fully man and fully God 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:05.220 cannot be tempted by evil. 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:07.080 Jesus was never tempted 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:08.500 by what Satan offered him. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.340 And James continues, 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:13.960 and God himself tempts no one, 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:16.040 but each person is tempted 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:17.720 when he is lured and enticed 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.519 by his own desire. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:21.259 Jesus was not lured and enticed 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.480 by sinful desire. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.519 Jesus' desires were the desires 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.460 we had in the flesh. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.360 Jesus was hungry. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:27.779 He desired food. 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:29.159 That was the temptation 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:30.139 that Satan offered. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.279 But Satan offered it 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:34.200 in a way that would not glorify God, 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:36.379 in a way that Jesus would violate 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:37.860 his covenant with his father. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.920 And that was no temptation 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:40.360 for the Holy One of God. 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.039 The Catechism reading, 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.159 when it answers, 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.500 how did Christ humble himself 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.220 in his life, 00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:47.139 says it was by conflicting 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.800 with the indignities of this world 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:50.139 and the temptations of Satan. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:51.700 He conflicted with it. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:54.060 He was not vulnerable to it. 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:57.100 Christ proved his righteous life 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:59.420 by conflicting with temptations, 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:01.000 by conflicting with indignities, 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.659 not being vulnerable to them, 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.080 having no sinful desire. 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.039 What Matthew's showing us here 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:06.580 in verse two, 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.120 this is the bottom line. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.440 He's showing us how Jesus 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.500 underwent temptation 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.420 at the very limit 00:14:11.420 --> 00:14:12.220 of human weakness. 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.720 He was as weak 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:15.159 as any human could be, 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.259 yet he still trusted God. 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:20.039 The first temptation starts 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.659 in verse three. 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:21.899 If you'll read with me 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.860 in Matthew chapter four, 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.200 verse three and four, 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.980 the tempter came and said to him, 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.740 if you are the son of God, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.639 command these stones 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.779 to become loaves of bread. 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:31.500 But he answered him, 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.080 it is written, 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.899 man shall not live by bread alone, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.259 but by every word 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.539 that comes from the mouth of God. 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.299 So in the first temptation, 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.299 Satan suggests to Jesus 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.580 that he should break his fast. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.279 Simple as that. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.480 Just break your fast. 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.480 Use your power 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.419 to break your fast. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:48.899 So what's wrong with that? 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:49.939 After all, 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.459 if you look at the gospel of John, 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.419 chapter five, 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:54.120 Jesus would use divine power 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.100 to provide bread, 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:57.079 to provide bread for his followers. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:59.679 It wasn't against Jesus' conscience 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:01.079 to use divine power 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:03.039 in order to save people, 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.600 in order to provide for them. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.220 And why not himself also? 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.519 So he would eventually 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.480 break his fast anyway. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.220 Why not now? 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:12.379 Why not at Satan's suggestion? 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.480 But here, though, 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:16.279 Jesus is in the wilderness 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.000 to do what? 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.759 To prove his humility, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.179 to be humbled, 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:23.059 to prove that his humble trust 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.620 in his Father 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:25.559 is greater than the greatest desire 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.319 one can have, 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:28.179 to avoid death by starvation. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.339 Jesus is in the wilderness 00:15:31.339 --> 00:15:32.740 to prove his humble trust 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.279 in his Father. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.759 This is how Adam and Eve fell. 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.899 Remember, Adam and Eve 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.779 weren't hungry 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:39.879 when they ate the forbidden fruit. 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.919 They weren't at the limit 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.740 of human weakness. 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:44.480 Adam and Eve fell in this way 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.600 because they believed God 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:47.039 was holding something good 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.799 back from them. 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.639 They believed this fruit, 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.559 as Satan suggested, 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.519 was a good thing for them 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.399 and God didn't want them 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:52.959 to have it. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.500 That God was holding 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.519 something good 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.199 back from them. 00:15:57.839 --> 00:15:59.059 They didn't trust God. 00:15:59.639 --> 00:15:59.899 Jesus, 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.100 even at the limit 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.659 of weakness, 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.620 trusted God. 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.079 It's the same thing 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:04.539 with Israel. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:05.539 Israel, 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.600 though they were in the desert, 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.480 they were in the wilderness, 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:09.179 they were provided for by God 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:09.639 with food, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.199 with water. 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.800 But they grumbled. 00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:12.759 They grumbled against him 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.900 because they didn't trust him. 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.980 Even as they had 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.879 the quail and the manna 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.420 that God fed them with, 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.320 they forgot him. 00:16:22.400 --> 00:16:23.160 And they said, 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:24.100 after their stomachs 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.720 were empty again, 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:25.080 they said, 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.060 Moses, 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.000 you brought us out here 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.740 in the middle of the desert 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.200 to die. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:28.960 It would be better 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.879 to go back into slavery. 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.060 They had forgotten 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:31.800 the grace 00:16:31.800 --> 00:16:32.560 that they were given. 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.420 They had forgotten 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.160 the giver 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.040 who had the power 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:36.780 to continue to feed them, 00:16:37.140 --> 00:16:38.360 to continue to supply them. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:41.539 So Jesus' reply 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.740 to Satan's suggestion 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:44.960 comes from Deuteronomy 8.3. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.620 The previous verse 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.820 that Jesus quoted 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:48.159 starts, 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.100 And he humbled you, 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.840 and he let you hunger, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:52.700 and he fed you with manna, 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.840 which you did not know, 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:55.279 nor did your fathers know, 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.659 that he might make you know 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:58.159 that man does not live 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.860 by bread alone, 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.080 but man lives 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.919 by every word 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:01.659 that comes from 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.420 the mouth of the Lord. 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.500 The Lord let Jesus, 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.680 as he let Israel, 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.079 hunger. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.460 Why? 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.740 So that he could teach them 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:10.000 that they can still 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.980 depend on him. 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.559 They can depend on him 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.160 and their weakness. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.420 So what the Israelites 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.460 did not learn, 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.720 Jesus knew. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.279 The humility. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.019 He knew the humility 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.660 that teaches you 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.240 that hunger 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.380 or no hunger, 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.019 the Lord will sustain him. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.180 Jesus wasn't tempted 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.700 by Satan 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.559 because he trusted 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.440 his father's purpose 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.100 for his suffering. 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.440 In this case, 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.840 he trusted his father's purpose 00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:34.500 even in his desperate hunger. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:37.539 humility and obedience 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.279 before temptation. 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.680 That was Jesus' response. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.559 And it was rewarded 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.559 if you look forward 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.319 to verse 11 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.799 when God sent his angels 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.680 to minister to him. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.660 It's a reasonable inference 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:46.980 to say, 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.079 how did the angels minister? 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.680 Well, they ministered with food. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.240 They broke his fast. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.220 God had in mind 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.859 all the time 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.460 to provide for Jesus, 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.779 to break his fast, 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.940 to relieve his suffering. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:59.039 But God did it. 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.200 And Jesus waited 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.039 for God to do it. 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.080 So for Christians 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.700 who have said, 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.000 it's hard to trust God 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.500 to provide 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.559 when you have a need 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.900 that you don't see him supplying. 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.080 It is a hard question. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.380 It's a natural question 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.539 because it is hard 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.580 to trust God to provide 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.900 when you don't see him supplying. 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.600 Christians should look 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:18.880 no further than this episode 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.860 because the father 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.480 had it in mind 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.299 to provide for Jesus 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.380 when he was at his limit. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.320 You haven't reached your limit. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:27.019 There isn't a point 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.679 where Jesus, 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:28.899 your Lord, 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.980 will let you go beyond 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.859 your human limits 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:32.779 before he provides for you. 00:18:33.679 --> 00:18:34.740 Humble trust in the father 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.359 suggests 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.720 that we can trust him 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:38.059 even when we are weak, 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.839 even when we don't see 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.599 his provision. 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.059 And Jesus didn't. 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.019 Jesus was there 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.579 without food, 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.240 without water, 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.779 yet trusting in his father. 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.859 Even in your most desperate need, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.960 the scripture says, 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.700 you do not live 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.480 by bread alone, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.659 but by every word 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.240 that proceeds 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.259 from the mouth of God. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.839 And that's not just poetry. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.259 That's the promise 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.140 that God will provide. 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.420 That's the promise 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.160 that God will provide 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.700 when you're hungry, 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.359 when you're thirsty, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.140 when you're desperate 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:04.339 because he knows your limits. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.579 He knows your limits 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.259 better than you do. 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.059 So the first temptation, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.519 the first temptation, 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.039 we could say, 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:12.140 Satan tempts Jesus 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.500 with the desire of the flesh. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.680 If you go to the second temptation, 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.279 you could say, 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.299 Satan tempts Jesus 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.799 with the desire of his spirit, 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:21.700 with his very trust in God. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.700 Satan wonders, 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.079 could even his trust in God 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.679 be exploited 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:25.859 if he trusts him so much 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.279 that he would ignore his hunger. 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:29.019 So that's what continues 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.819 in verse five. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.599 Then the devil took him 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.359 to the holy city 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.919 and set him on the pinnacle 00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:34.399 of the temple 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.179 and he said to him, 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.899 if you are the son of God, 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.980 throw yourself down 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:39.399 for it is written, 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:41.819 he will command his angels 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.599 concerning you 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.779 and on their hands 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.579 they will bear you up 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.740 lest you strike your foot 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.720 against a stone. 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.500 Jesus said to him, 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.399 again, it is written, 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:51.099 you shall not put the Lord, 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.099 your God to the test. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.659 So Satan tempts Jesus 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.799 not just with the desires 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.259 of the flesh 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.000 but with the desires 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.740 of his own spirit 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.519 that trusted God 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.480 and he uses scripture 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:01.099 and it's important to note 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:02.159 that Satan isn't taking 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:03.639 scripture out of context here. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.819 He's using Psalm 91. 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:07.000 This was not out of context. 00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:08.359 This was a real promise 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.000 to Christ, 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.379 namely that God 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.339 would protect him. 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.740 God would not allow 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:14.019 his holy one's foot 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.919 to strike a stone. 00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:17.139 In context, 00:20:17.699 --> 00:20:19.279 it begins in verse nine 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.180 from Psalm 91. 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.639 Because you have made 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.920 the Lord your dwelling place, 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.059 the Most High 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.079 who is my refuge, 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.599 no evil shall be allowed 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.299 to befall you 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.279 or no plague 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.099 come near your tent. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.680 For he will command 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.859 his angels concerning you 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.480 to guard you 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.240 in all your ways. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.759 On their hands 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.539 they will bear you up 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.599 lest you strike your foot 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.299 against a stone. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.759 So Satan quotes 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.740 the scripture rightly. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.339 He doesn't always do that 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.420 but in this case he does. 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.779 He quoted it rightly. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.099 It was not out of context. 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.359 That promise was 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.299 first and foremost 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.099 for Christ. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:51.440 God's holy one. 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:52.799 But again, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.059 humble obedience 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:55.220 to the Father says 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:57.160 Jesus did not put 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.379 his Father to the test. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.399 So what is then 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:00.940 the right way 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.559 to respond 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.819 when Satan tempts you 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:04.559 with the very word of God? 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:07.819 With your very trust in God? 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.559 There are two ways. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.000 There's the way 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.779 that Jesus responded 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.420 with humility. 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:15.119 There's an alternate way. 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.599 And you could call it 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.879 the Christian bookstore response. 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.340 And as I say it, 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:19.820 some of you know 00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:20.580 what I'm talking about. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.040 The Christian bookstore response 00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:23.020 where you go into 00:21:23.020 --> 00:21:23.700 a Christian bookstore 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.620 and if you haven't been 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.160 on your guard 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.760 as you walk into 00:21:25.760 --> 00:21:26.480 the Christian bookstore, 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.700 I will suggest to you 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.220 you need to be more discerning 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.220 than when you walk 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.360 into a secular bookstore 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.440 when you look 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.620 at the books on the shelves 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.720 in your Christian bookstore 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.700 because in the secular bookstore 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.020 they're not promising you 00:21:38.020 --> 00:21:39.020 to enrich your faith, 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:41.380 to claim the promises of God. 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:43.100 The Christian bookstore is. 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:44.099 So you have to be careful. 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.039 You have to be wary 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.099 what you select 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:48.459 because there are publishers 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:50.039 who have made a lot of money 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.799 in recent decades 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.599 on Psalm 91. 00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:53.559 On Psalm 91 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:55.179 because they claim 00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:56.039 that you, 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.359 to receive God's blessing, 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.159 have to show boldness of faith. 00:21:59.939 --> 00:22:01.219 Your faith has to be bold 00:22:01.219 --> 00:22:02.659 so that you can receive 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.299 God's blessing. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.879 The Christian bookstore response 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.980 says you will trample 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.359 on the line and the adder 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.199 as the psalm promises 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:11.080 if you just have bold faith. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.660 It's a health and wealth message 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:16.360 that says if you step out 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.799 in boldness, 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.740 if you make the leap, 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.519 God will move your mountain. 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.940 He will surely protect you. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:24.039 Not that there isn't a place 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.539 for boldness 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.279 in the Christian life. 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:25.860 There is. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.259 But that's not what 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.180 the Lord prizes 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:30.080 and that's not what Jesus does 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:31.180 as he follows his Father. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.500 It isn't boldness 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.340 for boldness' sake. 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.680 It's patience 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.840 and humble obedience. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.299 The error that the health 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.980 and wealth message 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.539 that you'll find 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.740 in the Christian bookstore makes 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:42.880 is that it puts your acts of faith 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.240 as the condition, 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.160 the first condition 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.599 for God to be faithful to you. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.799 It puts your acts of faith 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.660 as the condition 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:51.200 for God to be faithful to you. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.039 The Christian bookstore response 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.559 when it quotes Psalm 91 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.140 says, 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.180 do you want to receive 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.799 God's blessing? 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.259 If you were at the pinnacle 00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.799 of the temple 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.460 and Satan tempts you, 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.180 do you want to receive 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.779 God's blessing? 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:03.819 Jump. 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:08.899 That's exactly not 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.599 what Jesus does, 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:09.899 is it? 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.539 He doesn't jump. 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:12.980 He doesn't make 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.799 a bold declaration 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.559 of his faith 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.539 in order to receive 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.419 God's protection. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.019 Jesus' response 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:20.079 is from Deuteronomy 6, 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.740 verse 16. 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.240 You shall not put 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.939 the Lord your God 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.500 to the test. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.759 God didn't require 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.339 of Jesus 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:28.119 spectacular demonstrations 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.659 of faith 00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:30.539 in order to be approved 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:30.980 by him, 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.500 in order to pass the test. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:34.099 And God doesn't require 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.599 of you 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:36.339 spectacular demonstrations 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:36.920 of faith 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.380 to receive his blessing, 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:40.019 to be approved by him. 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.660 You're not saved 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.700 by the strength 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.259 of your belief. 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.400 You're saved 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:44.900 by the strength 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:45.819 of God's faithfulness. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.779 His faithfulness, 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.740 his strength, 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.640 is what sustains you. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.839 You just need 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.319 to be humble 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.380 and patiently 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:53.279 await 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.480 for his power 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.799 to be made known in you. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.759 There is a place 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.240 for boldness 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.920 with discernment, 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.019 but patience 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.980 and obedience 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.920 that lets God 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.420 provide 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.940 is prized higher. 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.279 That's what passed 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.759 the test 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.680 for Jesus. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.640 Patience 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.559 and humble obedience 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.120 that trusts 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.980 in God's providence. 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.400 Jesus didn't ask God 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.180 to prove himself 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.000 faithful to him. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:17.079 Jesus just trusted him. 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:20.059 The third temptation 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:20.680 then starts 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.319 in verse 8 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.920 where Satan 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.620 gaining nothing 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.259 so far, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:24.900 gaining nothing 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.680 as he tries 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.259 to tempt Jesus 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.980 with the desires 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.579 of the flesh 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.659 and then he tries 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.659 to test Jesus 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:31.019 with even his trust 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.500 in God. 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.220 Satan doubles down 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.460 now. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.379 He's not being subtle. 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.259 He's now just 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.039 demanding worship. 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.659 Verse 8 he begins, 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:37.919 Again, 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.779 the devil took him 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.839 to a very high mountain 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.699 and showed him 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:41.299 all the kingdoms 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:41.819 of the world 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.439 in their glory. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.019 And he said to him, 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.879 All these I will give you 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:47.279 if you will fall down 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.899 and worship me. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.919 All the kingdoms 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.500 of the world 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.819 is what Satan promises. 00:24:52.699 --> 00:24:53.279 And if you look 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.740 at what Jesus did, 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.980 what he came to do 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.720 on earth, 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.140 Jesus came for all 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.039 the kingdoms of the world. 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.900 Jesus came for that 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.420 very thing, 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:04.200 to gather from all 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.200 the nations his elect 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.599 from every kingdom 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.120 on earth. 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.480 Jesus wanted 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.680 all the kingdoms 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.279 of the world. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.640 Satan was offering 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.099 it to him. 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.299 And Satan's offer 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.440 was in all vain. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.680 The scripture even 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.220 tells us in Ephesians 2 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.400 that Satan does have 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:19.859 these kingdoms 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.440 in a sense. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.559 He is the prince 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.240 over the power 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.759 of the air. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.480 That's what Ephesians 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.180 2 says. 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.319 Not that Satan owns 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.319 them in an ultimate sense, 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.519 but Satan's power 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.099 is over them. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.819 Satan had that power 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.880 to hand over 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.660 to Jesus 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.180 the kingdoms 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.819 of the world 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:35.380 by passing the cross. 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.920 So was Jesus 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.839 vulnerable to this? 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.880 Did Jesus want 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.420 all the kingdoms 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.940 of the world? 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.359 Yes. 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.660 Was he tempted 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.579 to worship Satan 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.759 in order to achieve it? 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.519 No. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.220 Not if he was 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.099 the one who was 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.720 very God, 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.960 the Son of God, 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.279 the perfect holy God 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.440 and perfect righteous man. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.740 This was not 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.759 a temptation for Christ. 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.859 That is why 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.559 he's our Savior 00:25:58.559 --> 00:26:00.200 because he is faithful 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.120 and he's holy. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.500 He has the power 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.000 of God 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.400 that sustains 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.019 human nature 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.720 when it's tempted. 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.359 Jesus' response 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.279 starts in verse 10. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.559 Then, Jesus said to him, 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.319 Be gone, Satan, 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.680 for it is written, 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.740 You shall worship 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.639 the Lord your God 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.539 and him only 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.279 you shall serve. 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.420 Then, verse 11, 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.180 the devil left him 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.660 and behold, 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.539 angels came 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.240 and were ministering 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.539 to him. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.299 So in this last 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.619 couplet of verses, 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.460 Matthew, 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.660 the author of Scripture 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.119 here, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.899 shows us kind of 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.779 the twist in the plot. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.740 At the words, 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.259 Be gone, 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.599 what happens? 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.420 Satan just leaves. 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:38.519 At the words, 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.060 Be gone, 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.080 he's gone. 00:26:41.320 --> 00:26:42.539 So what does it tell you 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.600 when you see 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.500 the end of the story 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:46.420 and it becomes apparent 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.500 that Christ had the power 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.500 to dismiss Satan 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.160 at any point, 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.680 any point in his temptation? 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:53.240 Christ had sovereign control 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.800 over Satan 00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:54.580 the whole time. 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.680 I think it was R.C. Sproul 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.060 who said, 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.220 Satan is God's Satan. 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.400 Satan is never 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.160 out of control. 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:03.000 Satan is always 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.900 within the domain 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:05.180 and the command 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.140 of God 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.180 because God 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.540 is sovereign 00:27:07.540 --> 00:27:08.220 over everything. 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:10.480 And Christ himself 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.640 as the Son of God 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.080 was sovereign 00:27:12.080 --> 00:27:12.600 over Satan 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.360 the whole time. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.120 All of these temptations 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.340 then, 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.580 Christ endured 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.019 willingly 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.540 and Christ endured 00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:19.360 purposefully. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.779 This was not a threat 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.460 that Satan brought 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.420 to Jesus unawares. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.140 This was what Jesus did, 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.320 being led by the Spirit 00:27:25.320 --> 00:27:26.740 in order to be tested. 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.620 Not that he would be tempted, 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.019 but that he would be proven, 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:31.339 proven righteous. 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.359 They were not threats 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.940 to his holiness. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:33.980 Satan, 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.960 in his devices, 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:35.960 in his temptations, 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.400 Satan as always 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.839 was aiding God's purpose 00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:39.859 as he acted. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.339 Because these temptations 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:44.940 were God's very purpose 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:46.079 to vindicate his Son. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.799 And because 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.779 the temptation 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.299 in the wilderness 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.400 was a recapitulation 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.319 of Israel's failure, 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.920 this proof of obedience 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:56.099 was Jesus' very opportunity 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:58.720 to prove your faithfulness, 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:00.700 to enable your faithfulness, 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.140 to vindicate you 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.120 as the one 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:04.319 who would be in Christ, 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.420 who would stand 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.059 under Christ 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.620 as your head. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.720 It was the opportunity 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.180 for the Lord 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.180 to vindicate his Son 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.680 and for Christ 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.620 to vindicate us 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.680 from the accusations 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.240 of the devil. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.120 And his victory 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:17.680 over temptation 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.539 did something else. 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:20.100 Because the Son of God 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:20.579 was tempted 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.620 in his utter weakness 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:23.000 in his most desperate state, 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.220 God has sympathy 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:26.059 with your every weakness. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:28.579 This is what we read earlier 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.480 with our catechism, 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.639 Hebrews chapter 4, 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.859 verses 15 to 16. 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.399 The word says, 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.179 For we do not have 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:34.700 a high priest 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.299 who is unable 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.980 to sympathize 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.639 with our weaknesses, 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.559 but one who in every respect 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.240 has been tempted 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.299 as we are, 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.259 yet without sin. 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.919 Let us then 00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:43.519 with confidence 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.059 draw near 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.039 to the throne of grace, 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.799 that we may receive mercy 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.980 and find grace 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.759 in time of need. 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.819 Jesus took the experience 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.399 of the temptation 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:52.919 in the wilderness, 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.319 and when he died 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.000 and when he ascended, 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.339 he carried it up with him. 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.240 Where? 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.000 To the right hand of God, 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.119 to the Father, 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:02.039 where he intercedes for you. 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:04.059 He became your advocate, 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.179 your intercessor, 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:07.279 as he is at the right hand 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.720 of the Father 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.919 interceding for you. 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.319 The hymn 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:11.299 that we'll sing later 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.079 puts it this way. 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.500 When we sing 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.099 before the throne 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.759 of God above, 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.359 the second verse says, 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.299 When Satan tempts me 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.899 to despair 00:29:17.899 --> 00:29:18.619 and tells me 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.399 of the guilt within, 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.779 upward I look 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.980 and see him there 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.759 who made an end 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.579 to all my sin. 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.539 That's where we look 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.480 when we're tempted. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.939 That's where the Christian 00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:28.759 finds support 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.740 when he is tempted 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:31.039 because we have 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:32.039 not just the Holy Spirit, 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:33.099 but we have Christ himself 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.980 pleading with us 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.759 before the Father, 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.519 Christ who sympathizes 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.519 with our weaknesses. 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.679 And you, 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.500 who are left 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.679 with your mortal bodies 00:29:42.679 --> 00:29:43.399 here on earth, 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.679 are weak in the face of sin 00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.200 because your heart 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.939 remains with you. 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.159 Jesus had no sinful desire, 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.379 but that doesn't mean 00:29:50.379 --> 00:29:51.679 he didn't know weakness. 00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:52.980 He knew weakness, 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.220 and he knew it 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.860 better than you do. 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.480 And furthermore, 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.180 he knows you. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.900 He knows what you go through. 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.500 He knows how you're tempted 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:03.299 because he was tempted himself. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.700 He knows your weaknesses, 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.880 and he sympathizes with them 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:10.039 because weakness was his also. 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.920 He knows weakness 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.660 better than you do. 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.279 He was at his very limit 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.180 when he trusted 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.120 his Father to provide. 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:19.559 And God will not allow you 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.559 beyond your limits 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.019 because he has in mind 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.519 to provide. 00:30:23.219 --> 00:30:23.679 He has in mind 00:30:23.679 --> 00:30:25.000 to sustain his saints 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:26.339 with his Spirit, 00:30:26.739 --> 00:30:27.759 with all the physical needs 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.379 that you require, 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:30.459 and with the spiritual needs 00:30:30.459 --> 00:30:31.779 that he supplies daily 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:33.000 with the Holy Spirit. 00:30:34.679 --> 00:30:35.879 The sympathy of your Lord 00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.399 comes about 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.159 because he endured 00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:38.199 every weakness of yours 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.679 and more, 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.639 yet was without sin. 00:30:40.199 --> 00:30:41.679 We call this divine sympathy, 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:43.419 the sympathy that resides 00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:44.419 at the right hand of God. 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.920 And this sympathy isn't the, 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.600 oh, I feel so sorry for you, 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:47.980 sympathy. 00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:49.120 That's not what 00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:51.019 the author of Hebrews means 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.160 when it talks about sympathy. 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.340 It means sympathy 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:54.660 that has power for you, 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.860 sympathy that intercedes for you 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:59.240 because in heaven 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.660 you have Christ interceding for you 00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:01.340 before the Father. 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.900 On earth you have 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:04.880 the Holy Spirit interceding for you 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:05.840 in your heart, 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.100 offering up prayers 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:08.080 that are worthy to God, 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.400 prayers that will be answered. 00:31:10.560 --> 00:31:11.680 And it's for that reason 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.740 that you can have confidence 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.880 to receive God's help 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:15.420 in your time of need 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.940 because now 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:18.760 you can pray in Jesus' name. 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.460 And when you pray 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.100 in Jesus' name, 00:31:21.280 --> 00:31:22.520 it's not required 00:31:22.520 --> 00:31:23.500 that you have the words 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.200 to explain 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.420 what it is 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.180 that you're going through, 00:31:26.540 --> 00:31:27.100 the temptation 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:27.840 that you're suffering, 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.320 the needs that you have. 00:31:29.820 --> 00:31:30.560 You don't have to have 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.460 the words to explain it 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.280 because he knows, 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.880 because he sympathizes, 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.420 because he has the words 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.620 that can be expressed 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:38.000 with groanings 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.960 too deep for words 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.000 what it is 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.560 that you need. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.740 And he brings it 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.480 before the Father 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.460 where his prayers 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.220 are always answered. 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.579 He knows 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.799 there will be occasions 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.539 when you give in 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.099 to temptation 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:50.700 where Christ didn't, 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.759 but at the same time, 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:54.099 Christ and the Father 00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:55.620 do not look upon you 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.620 as one who fell 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.279 into temptation. 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:59.120 The Father looks upon you 00:31:59.120 --> 00:31:59.700 as the one 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.640 who endured temptation 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.400 as Christ did 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.920 because you're in Christ. 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:06.220 because Christ is your head 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:08.160 and he was victorious 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.940 over temptation. 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.440 No fall of yours 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.080 into temptation 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:12.340 can change the Father's 00:32:12.340 --> 00:32:13.519 attitude toward you 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.800 because as Romans told us, 00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.660 the righteous requirement 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.060 of the law 00:32:17.060 --> 00:32:17.779 has been fulfilled. 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:18.980 There's nothing else 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.360 that remains to be fulfilled. 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:22.060 Because of Christ, 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.940 the Father looks upon you 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:26.100 always as he does Christ 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:28.660 as one who will endure 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.279 to the end. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.840 Thanks be to God. 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:32.059 Let's pray. 00:32:34.959 --> 00:32:35.799 Father, we thank you 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.240 for the word 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.059 you spoke to us today. 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.720 We thank you 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.500 for the assurance 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:41.559 that though we suffer temptation 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:43.559 and fall into temptation 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.279 that your son 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.480 suffered everything 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:47.099 yet was without sin 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.779 so that we 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.659 can have confidence 00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:49.259 through him 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.799 to come before you 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:51.639 to receive grace 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.459 in our time of need. 00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:54.299 May this knowledge 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.439 make us that much more eager 00:32:55.439 --> 00:32:56.000 to repent 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.139 knowing our sympathetic 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:58.339 advocate before you. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:32:59.899 We praise you 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.800 for the power you showed 00:33:00.800 --> 00:33:01.300 in weakness 00:33:01.300 --> 00:33:03.240 that as it proved Christ 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.200 as the perfect Savior, 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.620 it will also make us 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.340 perfect as well. 00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:07.780 We give you thanks 00:33:07.780 --> 00:33:08.940 in Christ's name. 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:09.880 Amen.