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The Temptation of Christ

The document analyzes the temptation of Christ as described in the synoptic gospels, emphasizing Jesus' resistance to Satan's temptations using Scripture, which serves as an example for believers. It explores the concept of Jesus' dual nature—human and divine—arguing that his human nature experienced intrinsic temptation, while his divine nature faced extrinsic temptation. The author also highlights Jesus' role as the ultimate high priest, asserting that his experience of temptation is essential for him to relate to humanity and intercede for their sins.

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35 views3 pages

The Temptation of Christ

The document analyzes the temptation of Christ as described in the synoptic gospels, emphasizing Jesus' resistance to Satan's temptations using Scripture, which serves as an example for believers. It explores the concept of Jesus' dual nature—human and divine—arguing that his human nature experienced intrinsic temptation, while his divine nature faced extrinsic temptation. The author also highlights Jesus' role as the ultimate high priest, asserting that his experience of temptation is essential for him to relate to humanity and intercede for their sins.

Uploaded by

yagaammii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Temptation of Christ: A Brief

Christological Analysis

A very interesting passage found in two of the synoptic gospels is the story in
which Satan attempted to tempt Satan. In Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13,
Jesus, led by the Spirit, fasts in the wilderness for 40 days, after which Satan
tempts Him three times. First, Satan challenges Him to turn stones into bread,
appealing to physical hunger, but Jesus responds that man lives by God’s
word. Second, Satan urges Him to throw Himself from the temple to test God’s
protection, but Jesus refuses to test God. Lastly, Satan offers Him the
kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, but Jesus rebukes him,
declaring that only God is to be worshiped. Jesus resists each temptation using
Scripture, demonstrating His obedience to God and setting an example for
believers in resisting temptation through faith and God’s word.

But in what sense is jesus being tempted to be understood? God is explicitly


described as not being able to tempt (see james 1:13), so how do we interpret
this passage? One proposal draws a distinction between intrinsic temptation
and extrinsic temptation. For example, a homosexual man might ask out a
heterosexual guy, and will extrinsically tempt him by doing so, but the
heterosexual guy will not experience any temptation within himself because of
his different sexual desires. Whereas on the other hand, a very attractive
women might ask out a heterosexual guy, and by that extrinuscally, as well as
intrinsically tempt him.

But I would propose a different, christological explanation, that reads the story
in light of Dyaphysiitism. Jesus, by chalcedonian theology is understood to
have two natures (dyaphysitism), a human, and a divine nature, and is this
fully man, as well as fully God. Paul tells the reader in phillipians 2:6-7 that
Christ emptied himself through the incarnation, to walk on earth as man.

By that, Jesus’ temptation can be understood through his human nature, in


which his human nature is understood to experience intrinsic temptation,
whereas his divine nature, Jesus is merely extrinsically tempted.

But that’s not sufficient yet so we have to dig deeper. in hebrews, the author
deeply emphasizes the role of Christ as the ultimate and perfect high priest in
their Christology. (see Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:23-25, 5:6, 7:11-17, 8:6, 9:11-15,
10:11-14, etc.)

Now, in Hebrews 2:7-18, the author of Hebrews directly tells us how Christ by
his human nature had to die and suffer by temptation, he writes:

“You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have
crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As
it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus,
who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory
and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he
might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through
whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the
pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who
sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason
Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim
your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will
praise you.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and
the children whom God has given me.” Since, therefore, the children share
flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through
death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels but the descendants of
Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every
respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest
in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the
people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to
help those who are being tested.”

two points to consider here: (1) Jesus is directly said to have suffered by
experiencing temptation, and Jesus’ human nature is human in every respect,
including temptation. (2) The role of the high priest is by his sinful nature to
relate to the struggles of the people he is interceding for (since he is the
intercessor between god and man).

Hebrews 5:1-3 — “Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in
charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices
for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he
himself is subject to weakness, and because of this he must offer sacrifice for
his own sins as well as for those of the people.”
Now, if this is necessary for Christ to be the perfect and ultimate high priest, it
is necessary for him to experience temptation insofar as we are speaking of his
human nature. Christ, as the ultimate high priest wouldn’t be able to relate to
his fellow people in their sin of temptation if he himself is not tempted.
Furthermore it is written:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are,
yet without sin.”

The author of Hebrews re-affirms that Christ has emptied himself in every
respect, including temptation, and therefore experiences temptation as the
ultimate high priest to relate and sympathize with the sin of man.

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