Jesus as the Second Adam

Luke 4:1-13 

This is the third and final installment of our three-part study of the temptations of Christ.  We have previously seen how Matthew, writing to Jews, showed Jesus to be a true descendant of Abraham and the fulfillment of the Old Testament.  Mark draws a picture of Jesus as personally triumphant over the power of darkness and the kingdom of Satan.  Luke shows Jesus to be a fit representative of mankind, doing what Adam had not done—obeying God rather than falling through pride and ambition.

Following the baptism by John Luke traces Jesus’ ancestry back beyond David and Abraham to the very beginnings of mankind, Adam (Luke 3:23-38).  Then he goes directly into a somewhat detailed telling of the events that transpired between Christ and Satan in the wilderness.  In Luke’s account the first words of Satan, “If thou be the Son of God,” draw our attention to the fact Luke had just established: Jesus was a descendant of Adam, the son of God.  Satan had led Adam to fall and now he would attempt the same with Jesus.

Had Jesus succumbed to the temptation the consequences for mankind would have be devastating.  A moment of weakness for Jesus here would have sealed all of our fates.  But Jesus proved himself the stronger and sent Satan away defeated.  Because Jesus, as a man, overcame Satan’s power, we have encouragement in our temptations.  “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

Grace and peace to you,

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ