Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus
Jesus had been given super national powers at His baptism, but was still human. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert where it was dry and there He fasted for 40 days. He was exhausted and hungry. Satan took advantage of Jesus’ situation and tempted Him over and over. Jesus used what He had in His human body to resist. He used God’s Word. He trusted God’s Word. Satan’s purpose was to cause Him to sin against God and to cause Him to turn away from God's plan, which would ultimately be to redeem humanity through His suffering on the cross. He was trying to get Jesus to sin by denying truths about God – God’s provision, God’s plan, and God’s preeminence. Satan wanted to be in charge, more powerful, more important and to be worshiped.
There are differences and similarities of Adam and Eve temptation in the garden and Jesus in the wilderness:
Temptation #1 – Jesus was tempted with food. He had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights so He was very hungry. In Matt. 4:4 Jesus quoted the Scripture Deut. 8:3 – “It is written: Man does not live by bread alone, on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He was very weary, but strengthened by the Word of God.
Temptation #2 – Jesus was tempted with proving God’s authority. Satan demanded Jesus to jump off the highest point of the temple and God would protect Him if He was really the Son of God. In Matt. 4:7 Jesus quoted Scripture Deut. 6:16 – “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Temptation #3 – Satan took Jesus to a high mountain and promised Him the whole world if He bowed down and worshiped him. Again in Matt. 4:10 Jesus quoted Scripture Deut. 6:13 – “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
God had a purpose in allowing Jesus to be tempted. In Hebrews 2:17-18 it tells us why Jesus had to be tempted. “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for sins of people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” The Lord’s temptation proved His worthiness and the perfect one to be our Savior. Being tempted allowed Him to appreciate and understand our temptations. God needed us to see this perfect example of Jesus. God allowed Satan to tempt, but one day He will never tempt anyone again.
Satan wants us to
deny God’s truths in the same way. We
have the same Word of God available to us.
Satan accuses us to God. He
masquerades around as beauty and comes in many forms. He’s not red with a long tail. Satan tempts us by saying to us, “You need
it. You deserve it.”
People are tempted in their thinking and lives today. They are tempted to be afraid instead of trusting and believing in God. They worry about money, the uncertainty of world events, their health, and the future. They don’t focus on God, but the worldly things. They love the pleasures of the world and all the world has to offer. They are tempted by their desires, which can lead to sin.
God’s Word strengthens us to stand against temptation. Heb. 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is living and active and sharper than any double-edge sword. He judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. We should resist temptation and rely on the Holy Spirit to give us strength to resist the temptation to deny God. Know His Word and remember: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” - 1 cor. 10:13
Where are you vulnerable to temptation?
Who is Satan? Some say there is no hell and no such person as Satan. Satan is real! He is called “the prince of this world” in John 12:31; 14:30, “the evil one” in Matt. 13:19, 38, “the devil” in Matt. 25:41; Luke 8:12; John 8:44. He is the “father of lies”, “a murderer”, and “the deceiver”. He is a spiritual, invisible being. He is extremely powerful whose influence and whose invisible evil angels attack all the earth. He is God’s powerful adversary. The devil was created by God among angelic beings, but his heart was overcome with the sin of pride, which led him to exalt himself against God. As a result of his rebellion, he was banished from God’s presence and took with him other spiritual beings called demons. God allowed him to rule in “the kingdom of darkness". He exercises his evil authority by leading his fallen spirits and his dominion over all of lost humanity. “The whole world is under the control of the evil one.” - 1 John 5:19.
Jesus’ main work was to destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil and free all those who live under the devil’s control. Christ has delivered us from the fear of Satan’s power and the temptation to sin. God promised we can resist Satan by faith in Jesus and then he will flee from us. Satan’s power over us was defeated at the Cross.
The story of Jesus’ temptation ends with “then the devil left him”. Angels then came and attended Jesus. It is not known exactly what they did, but I am sure they brought food and met all his physical needs. We receive comfort that in every victory over temptation, God will provide for us.
Principle: The devil is real and God’s Word helps believers to resist temptation.
Matthew 4:12-25 – Jesus Begins His Ministry
Jesus began His ministry in Galilee and preached the call to repentance. “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” – Matthew 4:17. He called 4 men fishermen to be His first disciples - Peter, Andrew, James and John. He said, “Come, follow me…I will make you fishers of men”. – Matthew 4:19. In calling them, He was calling them to help share the good news of the Gospel, to be soul winners. They immediately left and followed Him. Notice they did not hesitate. This is a great example for us.
Do you want to be a soul winner? Many of us want to witness before we follow the command of Jesus – “Follow Me”! A follower is a disciple and a disciple is a learner. A committed disciple of Christ will be the most effective witness. To truly follow Jesus involves salvation, sacrifice, and being a learner. Jesus’ disciples spent lots of time with Him. They ate with Him, worked with Him, listened, learned from Him, and submitted to Him. They saw miracles and what He was like in His private times when the world was not watching.
How will you learn from Jesus today? You first need to learn to love and read His Word. Then you need to communicate with Him through prayer. Jesus calls it abiding or remaining. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” – John 15:7. Then you need to be a disciple by being a godly follower. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” – Eph. 4:11-12.
Jesus said it simply. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15. “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” – John 14:21.
Do you know now that He is the Messiah?
Prayer is very important to Jesus and should be important to us. He started His day with prayer. He sets the example for us. He needed to pray for the busy day that was ahead. We need to pray for our busy day ahead. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” – Mark 1:35.
Have you established a habit of early morning prayer or do you give God your leftovers of the day?
Matthew 4:23-25 summarizes Jesus’ ministry of teaching, preaching, and working of miracles. Jesus did 9 miracles. His ability to heal all different kinds of diseases demonstrates He has authentic power over sickness, over demons and over all creation. Great multitudes followed Him as He taught and healed.
Principle: God's power in us draws others to Him.
Maybe through His power you can forgive someone. People are drawn to Jesus in us. Let Him shine in you. No one was there to see Jesus being tempted. It's private obedience that draws us to Him.
Join me here next week as we continue our study of Matthew -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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