SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF JESUS
What happens when human beings, who are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), starve themselves of the true spiritual nutrition they most desperately need? Let’s observe the SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF JESUS. Determine, for yourself, if you are following His spiritual health plan. First,Jesus NEEDED to be “in My Father’s house” (Luke 2:49). Notice the brief glimpse that Scripture gives concerning the childhood of Jesus (Luke 2:41-52). Initially, what we find is a wonderful example of His parents, Joseph and Mary, loving God by showing their devotion in worshipping Him at the Passover feast in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41). Now, there are many interesting things to observe within this context but I want you to see what Jesus was doing even at age twelve – He wanted to be in the temple, to be with the teachers, and listen to their teachings while asking them questions and, also, responding to their inquires (Luke 2:46-47). Jesus was growing developmentally in so many ways (Luke 2:40, 51-52; cf. Isaiah 53; Hebrews 5:7-8); yet, even at a young age, His life was focused on God.
Second,Jesus NEEDED the Word of God. Jesus wasn’t without His own individual struggles. In fact, after Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:21-22) and given the power to back up His message (Acts 10:37-38), He was then led, by the Spirit, into the wilderness where the Devil tempted Him (Luke 4:1-13; cf. Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13). Temptation is the yearning people have to do the things they want to do (or not do) which is over and opposed to God’s will (James 1:13-15). It is important to note that temptation itself is not a sin. “For we (Christians) do not have a high priest (Jesus Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 3:5). The problem people face is when they decide to give into temptation by making a decision to do their own thing rather than God’s thing. Jesus did not give into temptations but remained strong. How did He do this? How did He stand against the temptation of the Devil? Well, it was by the Word of God. Look at what He did every time the Devil tempted Him. He said, “It is written” (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). You see, Jesus didn’t rely on His own human resolve. He was a student of the Word and used the strength of the Word to fight the pull to do wrong against the Heavenly Father. Some may say that Jesus was only tempted three times. Yet the text does not say He was only tempted to do wrong three times. In fact, He was tempted by the Devil, the entire forty days while in the wilderness (Luke 4:2). Not only that, He was tempted like we are (Hebrews 4:15) during His whole life on Earth – the Devil “left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). You see,Jesus NEEDED the Word of God.
Third, Jesus NEEDED God during the low and weak times of His life (Luke 5:16, notice how He had to “slip” away). Jesus’ preaching and healings resulted in His growing popularity which possibly would not have allowed Him to have the physical and spiritual rest He required (Mark 1:32-35). He desired private time and space to withdrawal by Himself and commune with the Heavenly Father so that He could again regain his intended spiritual health and focus. Remember, the Devil often tempted Jesus to be disobedient to the Heavenly Father which is exactly what Jesus would not and did not do (Luke 4:13; cf. John 6:38).
Fourth, Jesus NEEDED a lifestyle of prayer. “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). What was so important that Jesus considered it necessary to pray all night? Well, the context shows that it was after this evening of prayer that He chose the twelve disciples (Luke 6:13-16). His prayer was in the context of decision making. How many people do you know who would pray all night to God before making an important decision? Well this is exactly what Jesus did. You see, Jesus’ whole life was dedicated to His relationship with His Heavenly Father.
You may be thinking, “isn’t Jesus God? Then why would Jesus have NEEDED to pray, study the Word, or even go to quiet and secluded places.” I am glad you asked. The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He is fully God and fully man (John 1:1-4, 14; cf. 8:58; Exodus 3:14). However, Scripture teaches that He gave up many of His Godly attributes when He became man (Philippians 2:5-11). In essence, He NEEDED a sustaining and spiritually nutritious diet just like all people NEED. He NEEDED to maintain a close relationship with the Heavenly Father. My question to you, what makes you think you NEED anything less? Our spiritual growth comes when our spiritual NEEDS are fulfilled. Don’t rely on yourself. Jesus, our example, gave everything so we could have everything; ultimately, salvation. He showed us His NEEDS. Remember, His NEEDS are our NEEDS.
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Second,Jesus NEEDED the Word of God. Jesus wasn’t without His own individual struggles. In fact, after Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:21-22) and given the power to back up His message (Acts 10:37-38), He was then led, by the Spirit, into the wilderness where the Devil tempted Him (Luke 4:1-13; cf. Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13). Temptation is the yearning people have to do the things they want to do (or not do) which is over and opposed to God’s will (James 1:13-15). It is important to note that temptation itself is not a sin. “For we (Christians) do not have a high priest (Jesus Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 3:5). The problem people face is when they decide to give into temptation by making a decision to do their own thing rather than God’s thing. Jesus did not give into temptations but remained strong. How did He do this? How did He stand against the temptation of the Devil? Well, it was by the Word of God. Look at what He did every time the Devil tempted Him. He said, “It is written” (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). You see, Jesus didn’t rely on His own human resolve. He was a student of the Word and used the strength of the Word to fight the pull to do wrong against the Heavenly Father. Some may say that Jesus was only tempted three times. Yet the text does not say He was only tempted to do wrong three times. In fact, He was tempted by the Devil, the entire forty days while in the wilderness (Luke 4:2). Not only that, He was tempted like we are (Hebrews 4:15) during His whole life on Earth – the Devil “left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). You see,Jesus NEEDED the Word of God.
Third, Jesus NEEDED God during the low and weak times of His life (Luke 5:16, notice how He had to “slip” away). Jesus’ preaching and healings resulted in His growing popularity which possibly would not have allowed Him to have the physical and spiritual rest He required (Mark 1:32-35). He desired private time and space to withdrawal by Himself and commune with the Heavenly Father so that He could again regain his intended spiritual health and focus. Remember, the Devil often tempted Jesus to be disobedient to the Heavenly Father which is exactly what Jesus would not and did not do (Luke 4:13; cf. John 6:38).
Fourth, Jesus NEEDED a lifestyle of prayer. “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). What was so important that Jesus considered it necessary to pray all night? Well, the context shows that it was after this evening of prayer that He chose the twelve disciples (Luke 6:13-16). His prayer was in the context of decision making. How many people do you know who would pray all night to God before making an important decision? Well this is exactly what Jesus did. You see, Jesus’ whole life was dedicated to His relationship with His Heavenly Father.
You may be thinking, “isn’t Jesus God? Then why would Jesus have NEEDED to pray, study the Word, or even go to quiet and secluded places.” I am glad you asked. The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He is fully God and fully man (John 1:1-4, 14; cf. 8:58; Exodus 3:14). However, Scripture teaches that He gave up many of His Godly attributes when He became man (Philippians 2:5-11). In essence, He NEEDED a sustaining and spiritually nutritious diet just like all people NEED. He NEEDED to maintain a close relationship with the Heavenly Father. My question to you, what makes you think you NEED anything less? Our spiritual growth comes when our spiritual NEEDS are fulfilled. Don’t rely on yourself. Jesus, our example, gave everything so we could have everything; ultimately, salvation. He showed us His NEEDS. Remember, His NEEDS are our NEEDS.
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves