We find one of the darkest moments in Jesus’ life in Matthew 4:1-11. He is in a dry and deserted place. He is uncomfortable, lonely, and completely isolated from civilization.
While in the wilderness, Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights and became hungry (Matthew 4:2). He is hungry because He was both God and man while on earth (John 1:14). Why is He fasting? This was an opportunity for Him to begin focusing on the mission given to Him by God the Father.
At the end of the fasting (while in a vulnerable position), the tempter came to test Him (Matthew 4:3). He knows that if he can persuade Jesus to sin, then God’s entire plan for our salvation would be destroyed!
The Temptations of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)
- Turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3).
- Jump off of the pinnacle of the temple (Matthew 4:5-6).
- Bow down and worship Satan (Matthew 4:8-9).
- Jesus resisted every one of these temptations!
All of these temptations challenged Jesus’ trust in God.
- With the first temptation, Satan is challenging Jesus’ trust in God’s ability to take care of Him. But just like God took care of Israel in the wilderness when they were hungry, Jesus trusted God would do the same for Him (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3). That eventually happened (Matthew 4:11).
- With the second temptation, Satan wanted to see if Jesus trusted in God’s word. He quotes from Psalm 91:11-12, but he misapplies it. This psalm was initially intended to encourage men to trust in God, not test God (Matthew 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:16).
- With the third temptation, Satan challenged God’s plan to give Jesus all authority and power. Jesus refused to bow down and worship Satan (Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 6:13)! Instead, He would trust God’s plan for Him, even if it meant enduring the suffering of the cross.
- With each temptation, Jesus refused to relinquish His trust in God!
Will you also trust God?
- Will you trust Him if you lose your job (Matthew 6:33)?
- Will you trust Him when you begin feeling lonely and forsaken (Hebrews 13:5)?
- Will you trust Him when you engage in evangelism (Matthew 28:20)?
- Will you trust Him when you begin struggling with a spiritual weakness (Psalm 119:105)?
- Will we trust in His plan for the growth of this church (Acts 2:47)?
Conclusion:
Trusting in God and His word is the key to effectively resisting Satan (Proverbs 3:5-8).
