Were
His Temptations Real?
It
was not only in the depth and breadth of his suffering that Christ descended
below the level of our experiences, but also in his temptations. How vital it
is that we understand this truth.
Immediately
following his baptism by John, Jesus went into the wilderness to be alone with
God as he made final preparations for his ministry. It is common knowledge that
Jesus was tempted three times by Satan during those forty days in the
wilderness. (See Matt. 4:1-11.) It is sometimes assumed that those three
encounters were the end of his temptations, but this is not true. Such a brief encounter
with temptation could never have given Christ the great compassion that he
manifests for our weaknesses and sins; a compassion that proves his
comprehension of the battles of “real life.”
The
scripture records that at the end of those wilderness temptations the devil
only “departed from Him for a reason” (Luke 4:13). We know that the Savior’s
temptations continued throughout the entire three years of his ministry because
it was at the Last Supper that he said to his Twelve Apostles, “Ye are they which
have continued with me in my temptations” (Luke 22:28). Since none of them were
with him in the wilderness temptations, this statement can only refer to the
temptations which occurred during his three-year ministry. Far more important,
however, than the length of time Jesus was tempted, is the fact that he
personally had to confront and overcome every possible temptation known to man.
For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched (Greek translation: unable
to sympathize with our frailties and imperfections) with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16.)
Think
about the wonderful implications of that remarkable statement. Paul is
presenting the reality of Christ’s temptations as the very reason we can have confidence
and even boldness, in approaching God for mercy, help, and grace.
Was
Jesus so holy that it was easy for him to resist these temptations? Was his
exposure to temptation “in all points” merely an academic overview, or was it a
real encounter like (or even worse than) ours? The answer from the scriptures
is that the residence to his constant temptations was a major part of his “sufferings.”
Many of the scriptural references to the Savior’s temptations include the word,
“suffer,” in their descriptions. Consider three examples:
And
he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of
every kind . . . (Alma 7:11).
He
suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them (D&C 20:22).
(And
He) suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation . . . (Mosiah 15:5).
How
would it be possible for the Son of God to “suffer” in his resistance to
temptation unless they were real and genuine encounters? How could he suffer
unless he was truly tempted? We cannot comprehend the intensity and
determination with which Satan would have marshalled his evil forces against
the Lord, but we can be certain that he urgently tried to destroy Jesus Christ more
than any other person who has ever lived. Perhaps we can glimpse the terrible
struggle Christ endured because of his temptations when we read Pau’s statement
concerning him as our High Priest, “who in the days of his flesh . . . offered
up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears . . .” (Heb. 5:7).
It
was not by avoiding and escaping the realities of life’s sins that the Savior’s
holiness was perfected. No man ever walked the earth more conscious of sin than
Jesus Christ. His holiness and purity came, as should ours, by the resistance and
conquest of sin. The more we resist, the holier we are. (See James 1:12.) The
greater our victory, the more Christlike we will be. No wonder the Saviour is
so hesitant to condemn. No wonder he is so anxious to forgive. He knows better
than any other the price required for victory over temptation. Let us remember
that if Jesus, who was totally innocent of sin, was actually tempted to the point
of suffering, then it is no sin for us to be tempted—it is a part of mortality.
For
in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that
are tempted. (Heb. 2:18).
. . . the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the
weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted (D&C 62:1). (Steven
A. Cramer, Great Shall Be Your Joy: Receiving the Power of our Savior’s Love
[Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Incorporated, 1983], 27-29, italics in
original)
