The Temptation of Jesus Christ – JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Temptation is an attempt to make a person do something evil or against the will of God. Temptation itself is not bad. It becomes bad only when we fail to overcome it. After his baptism and forty days of fasting in the desert, Jesus was tempted by the devil three times and overcame each one by quoting the scriptures.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of temptation.
2. State the three temptations of Jesus Christ and how he overcame each one.
3. Explain the significance of the temptation of Jesus Christ.
4. List some temptations in Nigeria today.
5. Give ways of overcoming temptation.

What is temptation?

To tempt someone is to make that person do something that he or she is not supposed to do because it is evil. It is to do something contrary to the will of God. Temptation in itself is not a bad thing. It is only when we fail to overcome it that it becomes a bad thing.

What were the temptations of Jesus Christ?

After his baptism, Jesus was led by the power of the Spirit into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil. The temptation started after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights and was hungry.

Temptation to turn stones into bread

In the first temptation, the tempter said: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” This was to make Jesus appear as an economic messiah.

Jesus rejected this temptation by quoting the scriptures: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Temptation to jump down

In the second temptation, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give his angels charge of you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

This was to make Jesus become a wonder-working Messiah by performing great miracles to amaze the people. Jesus made the right choice by rejecting this temptation. He did this by quoting the scriptures: “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”

Temptation to worship Satan

In the final temptation, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. He said to him: “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.”

Jesus was here being tempted to become a political messiah by worshipping the devil. Again, Jesus quoted from the scriptures to reject this temptation, saying: “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Jesus preferred to come as the Messiah who would suffer to save people from their sins than to appear as an economic miracle worker or political messiah. He triumphed over temptation because he made the right choice.

How can we overcome temptations to sin?

These are the moral instructions from the temptation of Jesus, and how to apply them to daily living today. To overcome temptations to sin, you should:

1. Avoid situations that could lead to temptation.
2. Fill your mind with good and holy thoughts all the time.
3. Have strong self-control or self-discipline.
4. Be satisfied with what you have and your lot in life.
5. Shun any thought of achieving success through unholy means.
6. Have the courage to say no all the time to whatever is unholy.
7. Pray to God always to lead you not into temptation.

What is the significance of the temptation of Jesus Christ?

Each of the temptations was directed to cause Jesus to be false to his Messiahship.

• The first temptation was to make false his perfect humanity. Despite his hunger, Jesus did not submit to the temptation. He knew he had the power but avoided unnecessary shows of power.
• The second was to make him win people’s hearts not by love, as required of the Messiah, but by startling signs. This is quite true to life, because people always want to see signs before they believe. People doubt a lot and only believe if they are given a sign of evidence.
• The third was to make him win his kingdom without suffering, as required of the Messiah. If Jesus had loved political power, he would have bowed down and worshipped the devil, but he did not do so.

What are the temptations in Nigeria today and how can we overcome them?

Temptations in Nigeria today

Temptations in Nigeria are numerous these days. Some of them are:

1. The desire to be rich overnight without work.
2. The desire to pass an examination without studying.
3. The greed for wealth at all costs.
4. The greed for political power at all costs.
5. Setting unrealistic ambitions.
6. Uncontrolled sexual desire.

Ways of overcoming these temptations

1. Patience and hard work.
2. Taking one’s study seriously.
3. Setting realistic goals for oneself.
4. Avoiding the desire to rule at all costs.
5. Avoiding unrealistic ambitions.
6. Taming one’s sexual desire.

Evaluation

1. What is temptation?
2. State the three temptations of Jesus Christ in the wilderness.
3. Mention two points on the significance of Jesus’ temptation.
4. Discuss the significance of the temptation of Jesus.
5. How can we overcome temptation?

Assignment

List four temptations common in Nigeria today and give one way of overcoming each of them.