Lead Us Not Into Temptation?

From March 28th, 2020

Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

*** I have often thought about the Lord’s prayer and found it unusual that Jesus would teach us to pray that God not lead us into temptation. My understanding of the scripture is that Gods does not tempt man based upon the scripture below:

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. James 1:13

*** If this is true of God, then why would Jesus tell us to pray we not be led into temptation? The revelation came as I contemplated this that the scripture also tells us that following His baptism that the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He was tempted by the devil not God.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1

*** So, what is the deal? Jesus having been led (once for all) into the dry place to be tempted directly by the devil did it for us all. He fasted for 40 days; he was as physically weak as a man could be when the enemy came to test Him. Well beyond anything we will ever have to endure. He understood the concept of being led by God to be tempted. He had just experienced it and was saying, pray you never have to endure what I have endured for you. It is as he stands as our high priest that we can make this request.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:15-16

*** And finally there is the promise of escape from every temptation.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13