Correspondence

• 7 min. read • grade level: 7

Question: Why is the order of the Lord’s temptations different in Matthew’s Gospel from that of Luke? T.

Answer: The Holy Spirit has intentionally given us four gospels, all are varied according to God’s object in giving each, that the glories of His beloved Son might be unfolded to us in greater measure.

Matthew presents to us the Lord Jesus as heir to the throne of Israel, and as heir to the promises given to Abraham. Coming as He did into the world, He fulfills the Scriptures, and when grown up, we are introduced to Him in Matthew 3, taking His place with the believing remnant who were called by John to confess their sins. He had no sins to confess, and God justifies Him (1 Tim. 3:16¹⁶And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)) at His baptism as the fulfiller of all righteousness, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in Him as the Holy One, and declaring, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:15-77; John 6:27²⁷Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27); Acts 10:37, 38³⁷That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:37‑38)); and then as the second Man, the last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45⁴⁵And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45)), He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. It was necessary that Satan, as the strong man, should be bound (Matt. 12:29²⁹Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Matthew 12:29)), and that where Adam fell by transgression with everything around to sustain him, Jesus should prove Himself the obedient One even with everything against Him. He had fasted forty days and forty nights. Then the tempter said, “If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Without the word from His Father, He would do nothing, but said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Notice, dear young believers, He applies the word to Himself, and thus defeats Satan. This was in connection with His bodily need (Deut. 8:3³And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3); 2 Tim. 3:16¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)).

Then Satan quotes part of Psalm 91, which contains promises to the Messiah. Jesus knew that they were true, but in this also He would not leave the path of obedience. His confidence was perfect, he would not sin by testing His Father’s care over Him, and so quotes Deuteronomy 6:16,¹⁶Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. (Deuteronomy 6:16) “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

In Psalm 8 we have the Son of Man set over all things in heaven and on earth, and in this also Satan tries Him, promising to give Him all the kingdoms of the world. But He refuses to think of taking the kingdom till the Father gives it to Him in the appointed time (Psa. 110:1¹<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalm 110:1)), and Satan is manifested plainly in asking worship, so He says, “Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve’” (Deut. 6:13¹³Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. (Deuteronomy 6:13)).

There is less of the dispensational character in Luke’s Gospel. It is more the moral glories of the Man Christ Jesus, and stands in sharp contrast to the fallen man. Luke does not state things consecutively, but groups the lessons together to display to the opened eye and ear, the glories and perfections of the Son of God as the “Man Christ Jesus.”

In 1 John 2:16¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) we have what the world is to the natural man. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise.” These find an answer in our fallen nature. But in Jesus our Lord ever perfect, they find no answer. He is tried by Satan here on these three points, but there was the absolute refusal in Him to all that sin is; there was no desire in Him to gratify His own will.

Obedient, submissive, dependent.

He would not gratify His bodily need.

He would not seek worldly honor and possessions.

He did not seek a place before men.

He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matt. 4:1¹Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1)). He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness (N. T.) (Luke 4:1¹And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luke 4:1)), and is led in the power of the Spirit into Galilee after all was finished (verse 14). Every trial to Him was another stepping-stone to do His Father’s will.

Question: Is the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)) the same as the true God and eternal life? (1 John 5:20²⁰And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)). W. H.

Answer: We see from Romans 8:15¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15) and Galatians 4:6,⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6) that it is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that enables us to say, “Abba Father.” None could fully enter into these things till the Comforter was come. The light was dim till then.

The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)) is life in the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in the believer.

l John 5:20²⁰For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. (John 5:20) is different. It is the inscrutable person of the Son of God. He is the true God and eternal life. (See Matt. 11:27²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Matthew 11:27)).

Question: Please inform one who is interested in Bible studies, where I can find in the (English) Bible where Christ told His disciples to come to Him to confess; or where He went to them to confess? S. B. S.

Answer: We do not find any place in the Bible where the Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples to confess to Him, nor where He went to confess to them. The Lord Jesus had no sins to confess, but for our sins He died on the cross. (Rom. 4:24, 25²⁴But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; ²⁵Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:24‑25); 1 Peter 2:24²⁴Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)).

We are encouraged in many scriptures to confess to God, our sinful, lost estate, and then to believe that our Lord Jesus suffered for our sins that we might be cleansed from them (Read the following verses, Isa. 1:18; 6:5, 6, 7; 53:5, 6¹⁸Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
⁵Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. ⁶Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: ⁷And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. (Isaiah 6:5‑7)
⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5‑6); Psa. 32:5; 51:3, 17⁵I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5)
³For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (Psalm 51:3)
¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17); Prov. 28:13¹³He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)).

In the New Testament, John Baptist, before Christ died, preached the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. (Matt. 3:6⁶And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:6); Mark 1:5⁵And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:5); Luke 3:3³And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:3)). Many were thus prepared to receive Christ when He came and died and rose again, after making atonement on the cross, and believing on Him were given the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; 10:43; 13:38, 39³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
⁴³To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)
³⁸Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: ³⁹And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39); Rom. 1:16; 3:22-26; 4:24, 25; 5:1¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:22‑26)
²⁴But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; ²⁵Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:24‑25)
¹Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)). And in chapter 10:9, we read, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

The Epistles were written to give us the full assurance of our acceptance in Him, and of the provision made for every believer in Christ, as our Great High Priest (Heb. 7:25; 4:14-16²⁵Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14‑16)); as our Advocate for the failing believer, if any man sin (1 John 2:1¹My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)). We are led to confess our sins with the promise that if we do “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)). This restores our happiness again if we had lost it.

Notice that confession of sins is always to God in every verse. Notice also in James 5:16¹⁶Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16) that believers in Christ can help each other by praying and confessing their sins or faults one to another, that they may be healed spiritually and physically too if it is the Lord’s will.

In none of these passages do we find mention of a priest. Every believer has access to God for himself or herself.

We are all children of God who have faith in Christ Jesus as our true and only Savior (Gal. 3:26²⁶For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26); 1 John 3:1, 2¹Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1‑2)).

What a loving God and Father He is, and what a blessed Lord and Savior Jesus is! He has promised, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37³⁷All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).

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