Matthew 4:1-11 (KJV)

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 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.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 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.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 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;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 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.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.4.1-11

Why did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus Christ into the wilderness and allow Him to be tempted by the devil?

From verse one we can see that he was lead there by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil.

Jesus Christ was to be the ultimate high priest and to be able to sympathise with our weakness and temptation. So He had to be tempted but also to have the victory over it.

“Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.4.14-16

”Hebrews 2:18 (KJV) For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.2.18

Because Jesus was tempted, He can help us to endure when we are tempted and not give into sin.

“James 1:12-15 (KJV) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.12-15

Therefore let us be encouraged to do as it says in James 4:7 (KJV) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”. (https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.7) If we submit to Jesus Christ and obey Him, He will give us the power to resist and the tempter will flee.

For more on this have a look at https://missioncommunities.network/2024/05/21/stand-strong-in-the-lord-the-battle-is-on-2024-05-21/

Let us pray. Father we come to you in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Saviour, our Hight Priest. We pray that you for give us our sins, that you do not lead us into temptation and deliver us from the evil one. We submit to You. Help us to obey your word and give us the strength to resist the devil. Amen.