Jesus, in the Flesh, Rendered Satan Powerless
We can be overwhelmed with awe when we focus on the fact that Jesus was fully human and yet able to face everything we face without sinning. Jesus' humanity is an essential part of Christianity because it not only brings us comfort but also shows that Jesus was able to render Satan powerless. The fact that Jesus was wholly human but able to withstand Satan's attacks—attacks likely more intense than anything we have ever faced—is crucial. If Satan could have caused Jesus to sin even once, there would have been no hope for humanity. This victory over Satan demonstrates that he can be defeated and that he has been defeated. Since Satan has been defeated, he is rendered powerless; no one who has been defeated still holds power. The good news is that, because of this defeat, there is no fear in death. Once, death was feared because the wage of sin is death, but since Christ defeated Satan, there is no longer fear in death because we now have hope.
When we look at Jesus' temptations and see all that he went through, we can start to understand that he suffered through temptation. Not that he struggled with what to do and what not to do but rather that temptation always brought suffering. Temptation is not easy to deal with, and when you face as much temptation as Jesus did, it is easy to understand why suffering was involved.
Furthermore, these passages offer us comfort. If we realize that Jesus overcame death and temptation and paid the penalty for sin on the cross, then we do not have to fear death or the second death because Christ has already paid that price. While we will all die, we will not all face the second death. Christ's sacrifice helps us understand that, while death is inevitable for all of us, it is not the end but only the beginning. Our hope in Christ should give us the confidence to face death head-on. While it is not something we want to face, we don't have to fear it.
