Identity & TemptationSample

First things first—let’s examine the setting

Luke chapter 4 begins with Jesus full of the Holy Spirit after his baptism experience at the Jordan. In the previous chapter, when Jesus was baptized there was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit when he came up out of the water.

Luke 3:21-22: When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

In chapter 4 Jesus is led into the wilderness for 40 days for the purpose of being tempted. We serve a God who will lead us into the wilderness. Often times we get confused when turmoil comes immediately after a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, but it seems that might be normal. Jesus’s wilderness experience offers an illustration for how we ought to behave while we are there.

Let’s examine the meaning of wilderness:

• uncultivated, uninhabited, inhospitable region
• neglected or abandoned area
• a position of disfavor

In Luke 2:52 the scripture shows that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. And here we are a couple chapters later, the son of God who has an abundance of favor, has found himself in a position of disfavor. And the scripture says his Father led him there.

Sit with this truth for a moment. The wilderness can be lonely. It can be dark and perhaps even scary for some of us. But if God led you there, then there is safety there. And even if there is disfavor on your position, there is still favor on your person.