The Son of Man’s Validation

The Son of Man’s Validation
Luke 4:1-13
November 10, 2024

In Jesus’ ministry, several times people questioned Jesus’ ability to speak or act — even questioning His nature and character:

• When he healed and forgave the lame man who was let through the roof, the Pharisees asked, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Lk. 5:21)
• When the sinning woman washed His feet with her tears and anointed His feet with perfume and He forgave her, the attendees at the meal asked, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” (7:49)
• When He stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples asked in amazement, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (8:25; Mk. 4:41)
• When Herod had John the Baptist beheaded but he kept hearing of the work of Christ, he was perplexed (had John been resurrected?) — “who is this man about whom I hear such things?” (9:9)
• At the triumphal entry, the crowd worshipped — and also wondered, “Who is this…?” (Mt. 21:10)
• When Jesus told the crowd after the triumphal entry, “the Son of Man must be lifted up,” they were confused and asked, “Who is this Son of Man?” (Jn. 12:34)

Throughout His ministry, there were ongoing questions about the identity of Christ.  In the opening sections of Luke, the historian answers those questions by presenting Christ and providing His background and His authority to serve as the Son of Man and Messiah of Israel.  The temptation of Christ (4:1-13) is the final of his validations.  The point of this passage is not “how do we defeat temptation?” (though there are certainly implications for us); the point of the passage is to exalt the nature of Christ and lead us to worship and submit to Him.  The temptation of Christ (Lk. 4:1ff) teaches:

Jesus Christ demonstrates He is the Son of Man by His resistance of every temptation.

This section is the last of the preludes to Jesus’ ministry (the end of the “introduction”); the temptation of Christ serves as the culmination of:  OT prophecy of the Messiah, the birth of Christ, the baptism of Christ, and the genealogy of Christ.  They all affirm that He is the Son of Man.  They all provide credibility for His public ministry that will begin in 4:14.  The temptation particularly validates His authority as Savior.

In Christ’s temptation, notice two reasons for His resistance of temptation…  How is He able to resist the most powerful temptations ever offered to any man/Man?

1. Jesus is the Son of Man Who is Filled with the Spirit (vv. 1-2)
2. Jesus is the Son of Man Who Follows the Father (vv. 3-12)
   • He Resists the Temptation Concerning the Father’s Provision (vv. 3-4)
   • He Resists the Temptation Concerning the Father’s Priority (vv. 5-8)
   • He Resists the Temptation Concerning the Father’s Protection (vv. 9-13)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 4:1-13.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.