Could Jesus Have Sinned?

Years ago when I was in my undergraduate studies, one of the classic theological questions came to the forefront of a discussion: “Could Jesus have sinned?” Given the fact that He wasn’t just “fully God” but also “fully man,” the discussion explored the dynamics of this loaded question. The truth of the matter, however, is answered in a simple but true reply, “It doesn’t matter because He didn’t!” The temptations of Christ, on the other hand, were very real experiences. I believe that we too often skim through the passages such as Matthew 4:1-11 and act as if Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness was nothing more than a formality so that He could briefly experience what those He created experience on a day in and day out basis. Furthermore, what was Satan trying to accomplish? Did he think that Jesus would actually bow down and worship him? After all, he tried to oppose God once before and it didn’t work out very well----so why try to assert his authority and power over him once again?

Regardless of whether you believe Jesus could have sinned or not, there is one truth that can be agreed upon from both positions: Jesus had the ability to feel what we feel. The same emotions that run through our veins ran through His as well. Did he ever feel “fear, doubt, sadness, or anger?” I believe He did. In order to consider the “courage” of Jesus, He would have felt the feelings of fear. In order for Him to offer “hope,” He would have known the feelings of “doubt.” The difference, however, is that Jesus did not submit to what He felt; rather, He made a stand against the things that often hinder man’s ability to truly overcoming in this life.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, I believe that he used the same tactics that he tried in the Garden of Eden----he attempted to bring doubt! As Jesus spend forty days fasting he certainly would had been tired, hungry, and lacking energy. Imagine yourself in such a place. In fact, many of you are in this place. The trials of life have left many tired, hungry, and lacking. They have left many feeling weak and wanting. And then the question comes---“Is this really worth it?” I’m sure you’ve heard this voice before. Like Jesus, who GOD called into the wilderness (Matt. 4:1), we sometimes find ourselves in a barren land----not because of the enemy, not because of anything we did, but because God has put us there! Being there leaves us famished for something to fill our lives. Being there leaves us confused as to why we need to be there. Being there makes us tired of being there and all we want to do is leave the God-forsaken place in our lives. And yet, God has put us there!

If that is all we had to endure, it may be a bearable situation. But that’s generally not the case. We have an enemy who comes to us like the snake he is and he begins to fill our heads with thoughts: “It’s not worth it, take the easy way out, and let’s get through this quickly so that you can get on with your life.” After being clothed in humanity for thirty-years, I wouldn’t have blamed Jesus to think to Himself, “These people are not worth my pain of going through this wilderness.” Perhaps the though came to Him, “Can I even bring myself to actually going through all the way to Calvary if it is going to be like this?” Maybe a though passed through his mind, “There has to be another way.” Isn’t that what Satan suggested with his last “temptation?” He suggested to Jesus that he could give Jesus what He wanted---“the kingdoms of this world”---and give it to him in an instant! (Matthew 4:8-9). With all that Satan whispered into the ear of Jesus, I believe that Jesus fully identified with the feelings of doubt and despair.

Doubt is an interesting thing. It is based upon our perception of what our circumstances dictate it us. When life is good and things are well, we seldom experience doubt. But when we are in the wilderness, doubt rears it ugly head and attempts to be our closest friend. Jesus, however, understood something that we seldom consider when it comes to doubt. His responses to the enemy’s attempt to cast those seeds based upon His circumstances were met with the words of TRUTH! Jesus’ proclamation of “it is written” reveals something that we all need to understanding while living in the wilderness. “Doubts” are lies! The hopeless situation you may be overwhelmed with is a LIE! The fear of not knowing what is to happen is a LIE! God does not send us into the wilderness to die; rather, He sends us to the wilderness so that we can LIVE! Life is not about “bread and water,” but it is about what God says it is about. We don’t have to try to prove that God cares about us when we are in the desert; we just have to know that He is THERE with us. We do not have to throw in the towel and take the easy way out because we know that our wilderness experience is meant to bring us into His plan for our lives----not to end it! Jesus stood upon truth when it came to doubt. It was truth that brought Him through the wilderness experience. He understood that the reality of life is discovered in the truth of God’s Word.

It doesn’t matter what your wilderness experience brings before you---what matters is what God says about you and His plan for your life. One of the greatest ways which we can worship the Lord is by simply saying the words, “I will trust You.” Remember brothers and sisters in Christ that your wilderness experience is an opportunity for you to worship the Lord. The enemy knows this and will try to take your eyes off of the truth. The things that you doubt in your life are not the things which God has promised you. Just like Jesus, remember what the Word of God has said and know that like your Lord, God has an incredible plan waiting for you to fulfill!