Tempted As We Are

Via Bo Giertz, To Live with Christ pp. 191-92

But one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. – Hebrews 4:15b

Gustave Doré, "The Temptation by the Devil"

The devil is a particular power with lifelike desires. He thinks. He has a plan. He takes initiative. He fights to keep his hold on us. The decisive conflict came when Jesus came down into the world. Satan knew what this meant. He tried to take the Christ chid’s life. His plan was unsuccessful. Then he tried to win Jesus over to his side. God’s Son was, of course, true man. He lived in the same relationship to God as the first humans. He lived in perfect confidence and childlike openness with God. Satan was successful once in destroying this relationship. Why shouldn’t he be able to do the same thing again? So he tried. It’s imperative that we think about the temptations Jesus experienced as very real temptations. They were not imaginary. Christ was really tempted in everything just as we are. He could have done whatever He wanted. He could’ve secured all the advantages in life that usually entice us. That was, of course, what the temptation in the desert meant: He would not have to experience hunger or danger. He would be able to use His power to gain the respect of others. He would be able to create an empire with help from the resources the devil had at his disposal. But Jesus said no. He was faithful to God. He was the first man ever to fully resist the tempter.