King James version of Mathew 4:1-2
Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Joseph Smith Translation
Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungred, and was left to be tempted by the devil.
1. The Spirit of GOD did not lead JESUS into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. The Spirit led HIM there to commune with the MOST HIGH GOD. No member of the Godhead would lead anyone anywhere for the devil's purposes. The Godhead grants Satan a small amount of power to test us. However, reality is not like modern films with GOD and Satan having relatively equal power. GOD has all power. Satan is allowed by GOD to have limited power for a limited time.
2. Joseph did not change the number of days JESUS fasted. HE really did fast for 40 days. He was obviously hungry, but curiously no mention of thirst. This points to the probability that true fasting is abstaining from eating, but not drinking. GOD knows better than anyone how quickly someone can die or suffer irreparable harm from becoming dehydrated. Modern churches always want to make things harder on their members, so some today require abstention from eating and drinking. JESUS and Joseph would obviously disagree. Fasting is a principle of spiritual power, but do not make it harder than it has to be by failing to hydrate.
3. Fasting led to communion with GOD. JESUS was perfect, why would HE need to fast? In order to show we imperfect beings how to connect with GOD. My former faith has made people hate fasting with its 24 hour time requirement and misguided advice to refrain from drinking liquids. If people would follow JESUS' example and fast while staying hydrated, the fast could last as long as needed until some kind of answer is achieved.
4. When GOD left, and the Spirit left, then the devil came to tempt CHRIST. Satan would want no part in dealing with all 3 members of the Godhead at once. He is no match for even one of them at a time. He had to try, because Satan knew that JESUS is the only chance for mortals to avoid death and hell. Funny how Satan knows more than most of the world's people and religions.
