Satan’s Final Temptation of Christ was on the Cross
This Bible study looks at ways Satan used to tempt Jesus Christ to sin during His earthly ministry. The primary focus is on Christ’s final temptation on the cross.
Table of contents
In his first epistle, the Apostle Peter gave us this warning:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)
Satan Tempted Jesus to Prove Himself
Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-2). The Bible records three temptations that occurred after Jesus had been fasting 40-days. Two of those temptations began with the taunt, “IF You are the Son of God,” followed by a temptation to do something contrary to the Will of God (Luke 4:3-12).
Jesus defeated the devil through these trials by quoting the Word of God. Luke then records, “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13 – ESV). It is likely that Satan tempted Jesus many more times throughout His 3-year ministry, but what could be a more opportune time than the crucifixion?
Jesus defeated the devil through these trials by quoting the Word of God
Jesus had already sweat blood, asking His Father to take the cup from Him if possible. He had been betrayed by one of His disciples, was denied three times by another and deserted by the rest. He was arrested, falsely accused in an illegal trial, beaten, mocked, and brutally whipped.
Then they stripped Him naked, nailed Him to a cross, and crucified Him between two criminals. But Jesus remained steadfast, faithfully obeying His Father’s will.
Satan Tempted Jesus to Save Himself
The devil’s last attempt at tempting Jesus echoed back to the wilderness trials. You can almost hear Satan whispering through the pages of scripture, “IF You are the Son of God, save Yourself.”
The Crowd Tempted Jesus to Save Himself
The spectators and Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers, and even the thieves being crucified with Him, all tempted Jesus to save Himself.
And as the people stood looking on, the rulers sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself IF He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
Soldiers & Criminals Tempted Jesus to Save Himself
The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “IF You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “IF You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” (Luke 23:35-37, 39 – NKJV)
Jesus remained steadfast, faithfully obeying His Father’s will
These all tempted Jesus to prove He was the Son of God by saving Himself from the cross. But God did not send His Son to save Himself from the cross. God became a man to die on the cross, to save us from our sin. This time, instead of quoting scripture, Jesus fulfilled scripture by dying on the cross as “it is written.”
Jesus proved He Is the Son of God by staying on the cross, and dying to save us from our sin.
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