Life is full of temptations and trials, and we often find ourselves falling short of truly honoring God. But Jesus faced and passed the test that Adam and every human has failed. He did it to bring us back into covenant with God. Jesus succeeded where Adam and Israel and we failed.

In Genesis 1-3, God gave Adam and Eve life and perfect fellowship with him. Satan tempted them and they broke covenant with God, so sin and death came into the world (Rom 5:12). Now each of us relives this rebellion in our own lives (Rom 1:19-23). We are all outside the garden, under condemnation and death. 

God did not give up on humans, calling Abram and promising all the families of the earth would be blessed through him (Gen 12:3). Yet as we read the OT, we discover that Abram's children (Israel) too are unfaithful and rebellious. 

As Matthew introduces Jesus, he reveals Him as the one faithful Israelite reliving Israel's story but remaining faithful to God (compare Matthew 2-3 and Exodus). Satan tempts him in the wilderness to act as Israel had (Deut 6-8), but Jesus kept God's commands, trusted him fully, and obeyed him even to the cross. He kept the Law perfectly, and exchanges his righteousness for our sin for all who believe (2 Cor 5:21). He succeeded where Israel and we failed.

Moreover, he is the New Perfect Adam, the beginning of a new humanity. Like Adam, Satan twisted God’s Word and tempted Jesus with food. But Jesus Christ overcame - in the wilderness, at Gethsemane, and even on the cross. Through the old Adam came death and sin, through the New Perfect Adam, Christ, came life and righteousness (Rom 5:18-19).

As we fight temptation, we must remember Jesus already passed the test. He conquered sin. His righteousness is ours by faith, and following him leads to eternal life.

Taking It Home: How does knowing that we have “life and righteousness” through faith help us to face temptation and obey God?