August 26, 2011 – Luke 4 – 4:30

The temptations in the desert have a significant relationship with Israel’s temptations in the wilderness. Christ is the new Israel, so He will embody the journey Israel has taken. Here we see Jesus in the desert and the three temptations. Getting food from stone. There is a very close connection with getting water from the rock. Israel complained to God, Christ does not fall for it and does not ask God to make the rock into food. The temptation to worship something other than God. Israel made the golden calf and bowed before it, but Christ does not bow and knows that you are to worship God alone. Putting God to the test. Israel, throughout the 40 years constantly question God and Moses and the reasons for what was happening, but God does not test God but has complete trust in His will. So we see that Christ is the new and perfect Israel, succeeding where they faltered.