Jesus has just been baptized, His identity was declared by God the Father, and he saw the Holy Spirit descends like a dove. Wow! What a spiritual experience! He is riding high and life is going to feel like a cakewalk from here on out, right? I think oftentimes we have a Disney-worldly view of Christianity that doesn’t align with God’s word. A cakewalk is not the reality of what happens next for Jesus.

This weekend, we will see that Jesus sets an example for us in how we can respond to temptation. He shows that our greatest, basic need is not physical: not food, not affirmation or position. Our primary need is spiritual in nature: it is relationship with God. It is through this relationally grounded mindset that Jesus overcomes temptation.

As believers, our faith will be tested, and we will all be tempted in various ways. Will we choose to look to God and His word for wisdom to proceed His way, or are we going to take the easy out? Thankfully for us, Jesus did not take the short cuts offered to him, but he endured the cross and the Father’s wrath for our sin. His victory over temptation shows us why He is the worthy Lamb of sacrifice for the sins of the world and the High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses.

- Pastor Ken

Key Verse - Hebrews 4:15 - “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

For this week's Scripture and notes:

http://bible.com/events/49543683