The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11

There is a spiritual hunger that often presents itself in different forms. It can be mistaken as exhaustion, loneliness, loss of purpose, fear of the unknown, or even physical hunger. The usual human response would be to feed the body, get rest, gain affirmation from others, and use material things as a security blanket. Some are basic needs which in moderation are necessary to exist but  addressing only the physical will not get us to the root of our troubles.

We are being detoured to think that temporary things can resolve our deepest eternal longings. Jesus experienced the same temptations in the flesh, mind, and heart.

Temptation of the Flesh

4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Fasting for forty days and forty nights showed an amazing level of self control from our Lord. Fasting is a means of focusing fervently on prayer. The devil, knowing that He is in the flesh, is aware of His body’s eventual response to fasting - hunger. Somehow it’s no surprise that this is also how we are being tested everyday. When we put fleshly desires over the things of God, we submit to them than to His will. If Jesus allowed to be lured in turning stones to bread in order to prove His Sonship and ease His hunger, it would seem acceptable to submit to all our physical cravings and not to the Word of God. He used this test to emphasize that the most important thing is seeking after the Kingdom of God and the willingness to say no to the flesh in order to serve God’s greater purpose. It is a reminder that our bodies will have wants that might not be to the glory of God and what the Lord says in His Word should always dominate the flesh. 

Temptation of the Mind

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

The next test was satan attempting to appeal to Jesus’ relationship with the Father. He was trying to see if he could somehow manipulate Jesus’ mind so He Himself will put God to the test. This strategy is not uncommon for us too. We can be caught up in situations where we are tempted to put God and His faithfulness to the test. If He loves me, He will give me heal me. If He is merciful, He will spare me from this pain. If He cares for me, He will save me from shame. While God always has the best intentions in mind, we are not sovereign over Him. We cannot bend His will to what we think is a loving thing to do. But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8). Jesus showed reverence to His Father by not allowing what God will and will not do determine how He perceives the kind of relationship They have. He knows the Father well not to succumbed to satan’s tricks. It may be that we are under the same pressure of putting God to the test. Trust that His love’s display might be different from what we imagine but it is always to seek our highest good.

Temptation of the Heart

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God    and him only shall you serve.’”

The heart longs for what the eyes can see. Satan showed Jesus all the worldly kingdoms and glory in exchange for His worship. Desire for power and recognition to raise up oneself is idolatry. Eve was tempted by her sight too. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:6). The difference was she fell into temptation while Jesus, even in the flesh, has set His heart to be obedient to God the Father. He knew that it is sinful to worship any other besides the Lord God. We must be very careful when we are drawn to our heart’s desires. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9). We must pray and ask God for guidance knowing that the things that we want, no matter how harmless they seem, can eventually lead us worshipping and serving ourselves and not God.

When Jesus successfully overcame the temptations, satan left and the angels attended to Him. There is no excuse for our sins. Jesus was tempted the same way and even at the point of His death on the cross, the devil was persistent. Nonetheless, He submitted Himself to the overarching will of God. We have help available to us in our trials. The Word of God, the Holy Spirit, the church, and godly councils are ways  by which God directs our eyes away from satan’s snares.

Scripture

Matthew 4:1-11 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God    and him only shall you serve.’”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Challenge

How are you being tested physically, mentally, and emotionally?

What scripture verses are equipping you to overcome these temptations?

In grace and mercy