Jesus’ temptation by Satan is a showdown with redemptive implications. Had Jesus not been able to withstand Satan’s attacks, Christ would not have been the spotless Lamb of God and would not have made for a sufficient sacrifice for sinners. The gospel hinged on Jesus’ ability to stand firm in the face of temptation.
Thankfully, Jesus was indeed strong enough to withstand Satan’s scheme. Though we as sinful humans fall daily into sin’s temptations, Jesus never sinned.
Just as the Old Testament figures Moses, Elijah, and Noah spent 40 days in difficult, faith-testing circumstances, we read that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This event took place just after Jesus’ public baptism and demonstrates the truth of Hebrews 5:8: “Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” If Jesus had to learn obedience, how much more do we have to learn?
We read that Jesus was well-informed with Scripture and used it in His fight against the lies of the enemy. Though the omnipotent Jesus had the power to perform miracles and escape the wilderness, He remained in the desert to reveal His power to overcome the temptations of sin.
Likewise, though Jesus had the means to flee from the temptation He faced, He remained dependent upon His Father, showing us what it means to endure. It is in the testing of our faith and through our reliance upon His Spirit that Christians are constantly being made into the image of the Savior. It is not through our obedience and good works that we receive a righteous standing before God; rather, it is by grace through faith in the only righteous one, Jesus, that we are credited with Jesus’ perfect life.
As you teach the kids in your church this week, emphasize that we cannot obey our way into salvation. Instead, we must place our faith in the only one who has been tempted yet remains sinless. Lead boys and girls to see that faith in Jesus is the only way to receive and experience everlasting life.
Listen to the Weekly Leader Training for Preschool & Kids
Every week, members of The Gospel Project for Kids team offer guidance to help you as you prepare to teach every session to preschoolers and kids.
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This training is available on Ministry Grid, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and other podcast platforms.
Need to contact our team? Connect through The Gospel Project for Kids Community Facebook page or email us.
