How to Understand the Trinity and the Temptation of Christ ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

Looking one step deeper at the baptism of Jesus, we see represented the full Trinity of God-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Perhaps one of the hardest concepts to fully understand; yet, of ultimate importance, if we are to understand the temptation of Christ. Once in writing about the Trinity in Ultimate Inspiration-God’s Plan of Love, I simplified this to help in our understanding of the Trinity being one God by taking a step back to creation. Genesis 1:26 reads “And God said, ’Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”. If then, we look at Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Thus, God created man: body, soul, and spirit: three distinct parts of one being.

This is certainly an oversimplification; yet, it helps a simple mind such as mine to understand. Beyond that, by creating men and women in His image; he further gave each of us the capacity to reason, to love, to experience joy, to envision glory, to desire Being, and much more. To more deeply understand, the trinity I turn to Jonathan Edwards and urge you to read “An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity.” God has always had a full understanding and view of His own image, the perfect echo of Himself-the only Begotten Son, whom He loves with a perfect love. The Word of God, which became flesh (John 1:14). This is the same word that spoke the creation into being. The Holy Spirit is the outflowing of the perfect love, comfort and joy between the Father and the Son.

The Trinity and Love

With so much love and joy overflowing, God created the heavens and earth to share that abundance of love with; rather to pour that love upon. Yet, for love to be perfect; it must have the choice to love. Without choice, there can be no perfecting of that love. Choice allowed the possibility of the creature to choose to love the creation more than the creator; thus, sin enters the picture and separated us from our Divine purpose of loving and being fully loved by God. Our spirit became separated from knowing and experiencing the ultimate depth of love God wants to pour out upon us. In order to bridge that gap, God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to pay the price for our sin; that we might be saved and be restored to that union with Him, through love.

God’s Plan of Love

He so wants to shower upon us His love, His comfort, and His joy; but, He cannot unless we choose to receive it. Jesus Christ came, suffered, died, and then, conquered death in our place to pay the penalty of our sin; so that, we might love and desire Him. He purchased for us the right to stand with Him in perfect righteousness, clothed in the blood of Christ for all eternity. Again, we are given the right to choose. Furthermore, Jesus Christ lived on earth in perfect surrender to the Father’s will; demonstrating the perfect unselfish love toward His Father, willing to suffer to accomplish that will. For that reason, Jesus also faced temptation. At the beginning of His ministry, He went forth into the wilderness to face the fullest fury of temptation Satan could lash at Him.

The Temptation of Christ

All too often, we try to minimize the temptation Christ underwent because of His deity. However, in His humanity, in order to be our perfect high priest; Jesus faced every temptation that any other human being would face. Only He chose not to sin; because, He so loved the Father. Luke tells us that during this time in the desert, Jesus was tempted in every way possible. “And when he had exhausted every kind of temptation, the devil withdrew until his next opportunity.” (Luke 4:13 PHILLIPS). “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).

In addition to suffering every temptation, Jesus demonstrated for us the way to overcome temptation. He did not disobey His Father; because, He loved His Father even more than Himself. This is key to our overcoming temptation, to love God more than my own human desires. Second, Jesus quoted scripture to Satan. Even though Satan tried to use scripture to trip Him up, Jesus knew scripture better than Satan. This should encourage us to “study” to show ourselves proved as workman unto God. (2 Timothy 2:15).

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

God created humankind that He might shower forth His love, His joy, and His Glory upon us; but, we are left with the choice. Will you choose Him today? Mark in describing the 40 days in the wilderness for Christ as: “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts” (Mark 1:13). Never underestimate the loneliness, the danger, nor the depth of temptation that Jesus faced in His humanity there in the wilderness; but, He faced that remaining obedient to His Father, because He loved you and me. Remember that when you face temptation.

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.