Temptation

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
-Matthew 4:1

Observations:

1. Note that the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. The wilderness here is a difficult physical place, a desert.
2. Note that the devil tempts Jesus to sin. The Spirit does not tempt (James 1:13) but allows Jesus to be tested by Satan. Note also that temptation is not sin, and that Jesus victoriously passes the test.

Application:

1. God may at times lead us into a "wilderness" even when we are not living in purposeful sin. This is always for God's glory and ultimately for our benefit (Romans 8:28). If sinless Jesus Christ was led by God into the desert, should we be surprised if we find ourselves there?
2. We are tempted by the world, our own sinful flesh and the devil. Jesus was tempted and did not sin. So too, we can be tempted without sinning to the glory of God.

The Wilderness

"You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness." Robert M McCheyne

Right now I am having a wilderness moment. I feel I have failed in many ways as a father, in my profession and in being a light for Christ. My band of brothers in Christ seem distant and disinterested in striving for the kingdom in the way that seems right to me. So I feel rejected in a way. Yet in another group of brothers and sisters, I have failed to be consistent in doing community. I am on the verge of a funk as I sit on my couch pondering things. Sad. But from the wilderness I have always.....always been rescued by my beloved savior Jesus Christ. So here I will sit and wait on him.