| Jesus the Perfect Role Model |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Dr. John E. Russell Sr |
|
The Model Immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by Satan. Here Jesus faced the same categorical temptations that Adam and his race faced. Adam and all his posterity failed. However, the last Adam [Jesus] overcame. Categories of Temptation The Apostle John gives us three categories of temptation: For all that is in the world, [1] the lust of the flesh, and [2] the lust of the eyes, and [3] the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Adam Fails These categories are plainly seen in Eve's temptation: And when the woman [Eve] saw that the tree was good for food [the lust of the flesh], and that it was pleasant to the eyes [the lust of the eyes], and a tree to be desired to make one wise [the pride of life], she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Adam and his wife Eve were tempted in the three basic areas of temptation and failed. Jesus Succeeds Again, these categories are seen in Jesus' temptation: And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread [the lust of the flesh]. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone [the pride of life]. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me [the lust of the eyes]. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. The lust (desire) of the flesh would be the passions, the compelling urge to do. The lust (desire) of the eyes would be the desire for possessions, the consuming desire to have. The pride of life would be the desire of position, the constant drive to be. In themselves, these are good, but perverted, they become sinful. Jesus directed his passions into doing the Father's will. Jesus set aside his rightful possessions and position and received them back after his work on earth was finished. He left his position as the Son of God to become a man (although he never lost his divine identity), and now he has all authority: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven [angels], and things in earth [humnas], and things under the earth [Satan and demons]; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, We Can Succeed In other words, Jesus emptied himself of the exercise of his attributes as the Son of God and functioned as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. Since he was victorious as a human, we can be also! Jesus was truth personified. What sounds presumptuous to sinful human beings, is not, when the perfect role model says it: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus is the Superhero of all time. He made a marvelous impact on his disciples while he was enfleshed on earth and he continues to influence people positively down through history. Jesus is the authentic model for mankind. Conclusion God empowers us by His Spirit to become like Jesus. The Apostle Paul writes: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Copyright ©John E. Russell 2015, 2018 You have permission to copy, print and pass this on if unedited and no charge is made.
|
| Last Updated on Thursday, 08 November 2018 21:45 |