Matthew 4:1-4

Matthew 4:1-4

At that time Jesus was being led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be entrapped by the Devil.  And after fasting forty days and forty nights, He was subsequently hungry.  And after the one who entraps came near he said to Him, “If you are a son of God, speak in order that these stones should become bread.”  But the one who answered said, “It has been written, ‘Not upon bread alone will mankind live but upon every word while coming out through the mouth of God.’”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here is a neat picture that I came across as I was studying this passage.  The temptations of Jesus were used by God not as a “possibility” that Jesus might sin but as proof that Jesus conquers sin.  In fact, the analogy goes deeper than this.  When Adam meet the Devil, sin entered the world.  But when the new Adam – that is, Jesus – meets the Devil and is tested, Jesus demonstrates that He can conquer sin.  I think it is neat to think that Jesus succeeds in the very same circumstance that humanity fails.  Satan comes to man and we get confused and are entrapped in our sin.  Satan comes to Jesus and He stays strong in God.

How does this story help further the idea that a new kingdom is unfolding in the world?  How can this help us know that we are not merely “Christianized versions of worldly people” but a genuinely new creation?

Second Thought:

Let’s look at Satan’s approach to Jesus.  He was hungry.  So Satan essentially comes to Jesus and says, “Your circumstances are telling you that you are hungry.  So use the power of God to satisfy your needs.”  Now, Jesus was hungry.  But here’s the meat of this temptation.  Jesus does not allow His circumstances to dictate His actions.  Jesus seeks God’s will in spite of His circumstances.  Yes, Jesus is indeed  hungry.  But Jesus’ hunger does not mandate that Jesus eats.  Circumstance is never an excuse for sin.

Do you ever fall into the trap of justifying your sin based on circumstance?  When is this easy for you to do?

Third Thought:

One of the overarching ideas of the temptations of Christ is the power of the Word.  Jesus defeats Satan’s entrapment by employing the Word of God.  Jesus refrains from being trapped in Satan’s schemes by using the Word of God as His proof, as His backing, as His direction, and as His strength.  The Word of God is the pillar upon which we stand or fall.  Jesus employed the Word and He stood.

How are you at employing the Word?  In order to employ it well, what do you need to do?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 4:5-7