JESUS' TEMPTATION

 

 "Tbe Spirit led JESUS into the desert to be TEMPTED by tbe devil. Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and night. After this He was VERY HUNGRY". Matthew 4:1&2 (NCV)

Before beginning His PUBLIc MINISTRY, Jesus went out in to the "rugged Judean hill country", to face a time of TEMPTATION with the devil. Jesus would prove Himself by "overcoming" these temptations. Jesus had fasted for 4 days in the wilderness, and was tired and hungry when the TEMPTER came "quoting OLD TESTAMENT Scriptures,."

TEMPATION 1: Turning Stones Into Bread 

"If you are the Son of God, telling these stones to become bread."                            Matthew 4:3 (NASB)

After 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus was VERY HUNGRY. The devil knew this and thought it would be a good way to TEMPT JESUS. Jesus believed that God would provide for Him. He didn't have to PROVE HIMSELF. He later has his food supplied by HIS FATHER, but for now he would just WAIT.

"Man does not live on BREAD ALONE, but by EVERY WORD that comes from the MOUTH OF GOD." Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

TEMPTATION 2 - JUMP OFF THE TEMPLE.

"The devil led Jesus to the city of Jerusalem and put Him on a high place in the Temple. "If you are the SON OF GOD, jump down because it is written in Scripture: "He will put his angels chargeive you. They will CATCH YOU IN HIS HANDS, so that You will not HIT YOUR FOOT ON A ROCK."  Matthew 4:5&6 (NCV)

The Greek word for "TEST" is a PROMISE FROM GOD. We know that God would save Jesus, His Son, from HIS TEMPTATIONS. Like David, we know that God sent his angels to Jesus, as He does for us. 

"You shall not put the Lord your God to the TEST." Matthew 4:7 (NASB)

TEMPATION 3 - Worship

"Satan said: "All these things I will give to YOU, if you fall down and WOSRSHIP me."     Matthew 4:9 (NASB)

Jesus responded to the devil's TEMPTATIONS with three Scriptures; the last being related to WORSHIP.  Like  the devil, Jesus quoted many verses from the Old Testament. We too are encouraged to WORSHIP THE LORD, not Satan.

"Go Satan, for it is written: "YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD and serve Him only"

Matthew 4:10 (NASB)

In the strength of the Holy Spirit, Jesus overcame Satan's temptations. Satan wanted to "divert" Jesus from his ministry.  But the "real target" of Satan's attacks,  as it is with us, is to break our relationship with God and His Son Jesus. But we too, like Jesus, can have the "final word", and be left in Jesus' PEACE.

"The devil left Jesus, and the ANGELS CAME and and took care of Him."                            Matthew 4:11 (NCV)

"I told you these things so that you can have PEACE IN ME. In this world you will have trouble, but BE BRAVE! I HAVE DEFEATED THE WORLD." John 16:33 (NCV)