Once Christ was baptized, He went into the desert to commune with God (make sure you read the JSTs throughout the bottom of this chapter!). After He fasted and communed with God for forty days and forty nights, Satan came and tempted Him.
Several important points stand out as I read through verses 1-10. First, thanks to the JST, we know that Christ did not seek out temptation; instead, He sought the Lord. Like Moses, after He communed with Heavenly Father, Satan availed himself of the opportunity to tempt him. As we go through our lives, we must realize that no one, not even Christ, sought temptation. He was tempted, no doubt, and tried, and He came through those trials with an eye towards His Father’s kingdom and His everlasting goals.
The second thing that stood out was the method Christ used to deflect Satan’s conniving. With each statement, He notes “It is written…” Truly He feasted upon the words of God in His youth and they were able to sustain Him in His times of trouble. Similarly, we need to cling to our scriptures and use them to sustain our spiritual selves, that we might grow spiritually stronger and healthier.
Finally, I learned from President David O. McKay that the temptations were classified under nearly every temptation given to mortal man. First, He faced the temptation of the physical body. Then Satan completely reversed Himself and tried to convince Christ to give himself completely to the saving grace of God. If Christ had succumbed and performed a miracle such as throwing himself down from the top of the temple and surviving, He would have no problem convincing followers of His divinity. However, He knew that the people would be better served by seeking God in faith, not due to a miracle. Faith makes for stronger converts. Finally, Satan attempted to tempt the poor son of a carpenter with the riches of the world. Again, Christ kept His divine calling in front of Him.
As Christ faced Satan down in spiritual warfare, He drew upon the strength of His father. He did not seek out temptations but handled them as they came to Him. He relied on the scriptures He had learned in His youth. He kept His divine potential – the same potential that we all share – in the forefront of His mind. As we face temptations and trials in our lives, we would do well to follow the path He has already walked.
Related Articles:
Prepare His Way and Make His Paths Straight
Also see President Howard W. Hunter’s Conference talk, The Temptations of Christ.