And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
And God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death.
Question: Did Jesus have to deal with temptation?
Answer: Yes. We read in Hebrews that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)
There is a long story in Luke, chapter 4, that tells of Jesus being tempted by the devil for forty days in the wilderness. You might want to study that to see how he handled the suggestions of the devil.
Mary Baker Eddy tells us: “Because of the wondrous glory which God bestowed on His anointed, temptation, sin, sickness, and death had no terror for Jesus.” (S&H 42:21-23) And, “Since Jesus
must have been tempted in all points, he, the immaculate, met and conquered sin in every form.”
(S&H 564:14-16)
While temptation may have been less terrifying to Jesus because he was the Son of God,
he expected his followers to be alert to temptation. To his disciples, who fell asleep in
Gethsemane just when Jesus needed them, he said, “Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:46)
It was the task of Jesus to show us the way out of the dream of mortal beliefs, to deliver us from evil.
“Our Master fully and finally demonstrated divine Science in his victory over death and the grave. Jesus’ deed was for the enlightenment of men and for the salvation of the whole world from sin,
sickness, and death.” (S&H 45:6-10)
* * *
(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer”
Copyright 2005)
Next: And lead us not into temptation – Q&A #16
List of all pages and lessons in Volume Three: The Lord’s Prayer
First Lessons in Christian Science 