We figured out at Grain Valley MX that Jesus is not a regular man. He is the GOD-man.
But even so, he still grew up like a regular person.
Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Why did he come?
HEB 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
HEB 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
According to what we just read, Jesus came to die for us. By his death we where set free from death. He also came for another reason, that was to show us how to live. He went thru the same things we are going thru, so he can totally understand what we go thru.
As Jesus grew up, it was time to begin his ministry. He started it the same as we should start our walk with God.
He was baptized.
Baptism is a public confession of your faith and it is one of the things that we are asked to do:
MT 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ….
Just as with us, it was not easy for Jesus either. Remember what we read in verse HEB 2:18?
How was he tempted?
MT 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
MT 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
MT 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " `He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
MT 4:7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "
MT 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
MT 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "
MT 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Did you notice something? He withstood the temptations. How did he do that?
By quoting scripture. In other words, relying on God.
What does that tell us?
We have to be armed with the "Sword of the Spirit". What is this? It is the word of god.
In conclusion what did we learn? Jesus grew up as a person just like us. He was tempted just like we are.
His answers where straight from the bible, so we should learn what it says and rely on it.
The angels attended him when the temptation was over.
Jesus can help us, because he has been there. Been there-done that.
