Was Jesus ‘Set Up’ By God?

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A Confession

Let me make a little confession to you:

I didn’t want to write this post.

I didn’t want to ask this question.

I ignored it for two weeks but it wouldn’t go away.

And when I finally wrote it, I wasn’t going to post it.

I struggled. Seriously! I had some good reasons too:

  • It didn’t feel ‘natural’
  • It questioned my theology (at least at face value)
  • It made me uncomfortable
  • God would NEVER set His Own Son up for this (would HE?)

So I decided I was done with struggling and hit the Throne Room. I got my answers!

What’s Your Theology?

Let me ask you the same question I wrestled with:

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1

“Was Jesus intentionally ‘set up’ by God?”

What is your theology on Matthew 4:1? Leave your comments here.

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About the Author

Joseph Iregbu

I am passionate about three things: people, leading on purpose and helping others pursue the God-intended life. A writer, speaker, leadership coach and author of SELAH: A 90-Day Journey of Grace and Hope and Even in the Well. You can download my FREE eBook Lines of Impact . I live in Germany with my wife, Temi and our gorgeous Isabel Juda. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook

  • Enoba ogbole

    The scriptures are written for one by the inspiration of God and they are written for our examples, so God being all knowing already knew Jesus would overcome those temptations, but I believe it was necessary he went through them so that we, God’s children learn and know that truly with every temptation God provides a way of escape for his children. So whAt I believe is that it was not a set-up, but actual example that every child of God can escape every temptation.

    • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

      Thanks Enoba for sharing. Would you say this experience was more for us than it was for Jesus Himself?

  • Prince

    I’m thinking of the case of Job. The whole predicament was a ploy of Satan to get him to stumble
    If I’m correct, the passage here didnt give a light on what’s up in the Spiritual realm. For all it’s worth, Satan could have approached God the Father and thrown a challenge of the possibility of rubbishing the salvation plan by causing Jesus to stumble, and God being so sure of his Son permitted it.
    And the question could thus go, Can God be so confident of our love for him that he would brag about us to the devil? (of-course, there is grace available)

    The other way I see it has to do with the fact that; All that Jesus did while on earth, he did in his capacity as a man. As such, he had to go through this temptations as an example for men that what God expects of us is not impossible.
    1Peter 5:8 lets us realise that the power, devil has over us, is that which we give to him in our carelessness, and so Jesus gave us an example of how to make sure we give no room to the devil when he comes knocking.
    So, going by the definition of set-up:”
    To put (someone else) into a compromising situation by deceit or trickery ” Was Jesus Set-Up by God? Capital NO, because by the term Set-up, you would be saying God perhaps expected Jesus to fall and fail.
    But did God allow Jesus to be tempted knowing fully well he’ll triumph, I’d say Yes
    My tuppence worth!

    • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

      Prince, you should guest post this epistle next time :-)
      So Jesus didn’t chose ths moment, rather it was chosen for Him? Isn’t that a light reference to ‘Set Up’, taking all the negative connotations out?
      Appreciate your perspective.

  • Addy

    nice one !!

  • Issues Of Life

    The Holy Spirit did lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted, but this is no more alarming than the fact that God sent Christ into the world to die. His redemptive mission involved a sacrificial death, and the road to Calvary was paved with suffering, testing, and temptation, through which Jesus was perfected, or qualified, to serve as high priest for humanity (Heb. 2:10).

    • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

      Wow, I’ve never thought of it in that sense. Flesh and blood has not revealed that to you. Awesome! Worth a follow up post.

      • Issues Of Life

        Also, looking at the other synoptic gospels like Mark and Luke’s accounts, we see their write-up were not exactly the same as Matthew’s. God definitely doesn’t tempt only the devil does. (James 1:14)

        It is also important to note that the Holy spirit did not lead him into temptation instead he was led to the wilderness. Although, God knew the devil would use it as an opportunity to tempt Christ. However, the temptation was needed to qualify Christ to die for man-kind.

        I look forward to seeing your interpretation :)

        • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

          I appreciate your insights.

  • http://twitter.com/v_Kristovi_sam BWright

    God is sovereign and utilizes even this situation to fulfill His purposes.  As someone previously brought forth from James, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” (1:13)
    I also think of 1Peter3:18-20 where Jesus proclaims His victory over evil in spite of His death, which was negated by the Spirit’s indwelling of continuous life. 
    I think of it like this: although not “set up” or even tempted by God, Jesus was placed in a situation that created inevitable victory. 
    Personally, I am reminded in Matthew 4:1 how no element of the enemy’s arsenal can defeat Christ. This temptation was just a precursor to the ultimate victory–overcoming death. In Christ I am victorious and in Christ I am born again. I will be allowed to be tempted and with Christ I cannot lose…my body will eventually die but I will live on. In Christ. 

    • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

      This is one of the most concise, yet powerful responses I’ve read of on this topic. I absolutely love the words and thought: “Jesus was placed in a situation that created inevitable victory”
      Thanks for sharing, Wright.

  • http://taunetnelel.blogspot.com/ JepB

    Great question to ask and study. This does cover finding purpose in pain, Job’s predicament and God’s sovereignty. Jesus was fully man and fully God. Hebrews 4:12 talks of Jesus as High Priest, tempted but yet did not sin. James says God never changes.

    Jesus started his ministry through baptism, the Spirit descended upon Him at that moment and God said, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. After that He was led up of the Spirit into wilderness – and we are told the purpose was to be tempted of the devil.

    I think a question we should rightly ask was Jesus “compelled forcibly against his will to go there” or “was He
    inclined to go there by the Spirit, or that the Spirit of God,
    for important purposes, caused him to go.” (Words borrowed from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)

    Mark 1:12 says, “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.”
    This is what Wesley notes commentary draws from this verse: So in all the children of God, extraordinary manifestations of his favour are wont to be followed by extraordinary temptations.

    I think we should also draw reference with the First Adam’s temptation in the garden. Gladly waiting to hear the answers you got.

    • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

      I like a keyword you’ve used there: Purpose! I hope to share it in a follow up post. So far, God’s been leading me in a different direction but I will surely get back to this. Loving the discussion.

      • http://taunetnelel.blogspot.com/ JepB

         Awesome. Loving the discussion as well. I am looking forward to the insights you will share in the follow up post. Be blessed!

        • http://josephiregbu.com/ Joseph Iregbu

          :-) Pray that insight and utterance be given me.

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