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Psalm 73:1–17 NIV

1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” 12 This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Psalm 73:27–28 NIV

27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Prayer

Opening Hymn

1 Kings 19:1–9 NIV

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

3 Worship Songs

Hebrews 4:14–5:10 NIV

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 1 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Prayer Chorus

Pray

Worship through the Word

Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Two men face off in a boxing ring. They go three rounds and one man is knocked too loopy to stand. He is dragged from the ring with help from several people and he mumbles, “That guy is really tough!” Later, the victor faces off with another opponent. This opponent manages to stay on his feet for the entire bout. The bout is finally called and a decision is made declaring the original victor, the winner once again. His opponent leaves the ring with the help of his manager and he declares, “That guy is really tough!” Now, out of those two opponents, who has the best knowledge of just how tough the victor really is? Wouldn’t it be the man you remained in the ring for the entire fight?

Now, let me ask you this. Who has the greatest understanding of temptation? The one who gives in or the one who overcomes it every time? There is only one person who overcame it every time and that that was Jesus. No one knows just how hard it is to succeed more than He does.

Today, we continue in Matthew as we see Jesus face off with temptation at a critical time in His life. This is probably not His first bout, nor will it be His last bout. However, it was a critical bout.

If you are able, stand with me for the reading of this passage.

Matthew 4:1–17 NIV

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

Pray

I. Beginning Ministry

If you have been a Christian for some time, you will recognize that temptations always seem to come the strongest right after we have experienced a spiritual high. We saw this in our reading from 1 Kings today. Elijah had just had an incredible victory. He has faced off against 850 prophets to false gods and won. Elijah trusted God to protect him from these 850 prophets and to answer His prayer. God proved His ability to answer prayer before all those witnesses. Yet, immediately after, Elijah flees from the threat of King Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah goes from success and a spiritual high, to the lowest of low. Fully depressed he gives into a temptation to flee instead of turning to God.

Jesus has just been baptized. He knows the time for His ministry to begin is finally here so He goes off to the desert to take time to talk with the Father and to begin to figure out just how to begin and He will face temptation.

If you have ever felt God’s call to do something, you can appreciate that we often have a sense of what we are supposed to do but we do not always know exactly how to begin.

I remember when I first started as a Sunday school coordinator. I could see that things were not running well. The teachers were discouraged yet they really had a heart for their students. I knew God had called me to that position as coordinator but I was not sure how to begin. Where was I to start? There were so many problems needed fixed but how could I fix them and which should I start with. I found myself flat on the floor one night crying out to God to help me to know where and how to begin.

We should not think that it was any easier for Jesus. He came as a man. He was just as dependent on the Father leading Him as we would be.

He left to seek some solitude to ask these questions and the Spirit led Him to the desert. Now, if you are like me, you think of flat, sandy, places with cactus and sage brush. You may even picture a sand dune. However, where Jesus was, think of climbing mountain of rock. Jagged and rough, hot and dry. In fact, if it is where they think it was, Jesus would have to make what they called, the “Ascent of Blood.” It was called this as it was a narrow road with lots of places for ambush. It was filled with robbers ready to waylay a traveler. This is probably the place where the story of the good Samaritan was believed to have taken place.

It is believed He traveled approximately 6-8 miles, then Jesus finds Himself in a desert wilderness full of wild animals. Water and food are not available to Him. At first, He will not notice as He is deep in thought and prayer trying to discern where to start. Like us, He is trying to...

A. Determine the Program

Where is He to start? How does He start? Can you imagine the weight He felt on His shoulders in that moment in time. Just like you or I, I am sure He felt conflicted. He would be excited for a new adventure, yet unsure of what comes next. He knows what His final outcome is and even understands what it will call for on His part.

It is the same for you or I. We often feel excitement over something new about to begin. We may not be sure just how to get started. We feel the pressure to succeed and we also are facing the knowledge of sacrifices we will need to make.

For me, the adventure was a move to Colorado Springs. It was the first time I was moving to a place where I had never been and didn’t have my family with me. It was also the first time I was moving to a place I had never been. Most places I moved to, I had been there at some time in my life or I made a trip there before I moved. When I left for Colorado Springs, I had no idea what it would be like. It was an exciting adventure.

Yet it also called for sacrifices. I was a single parent and for the first time in my life, I would be to far for family to come if I found myself in a bad place. I was used to depending on them. Now, God was the only one I could depend upon.

Jesus probably felt some of the same things. He was used to being with His family. He was now experiencing His independence for the first time. It would be both exhilarating yet scary.

For forty days, He prayed and fasted. He was so consumed with these things, He had not even noticed any hunger, but now that He is ready, the hunger kicks in and so does temptation.

Now, here is something I think we often misunderstand. Pictures and they way this is read makes us see this as a face-to-face confrontation with Satan. But the more I have studied, the more I am not so sure that is the way it took place. I suspect it took place more like it does for us. It was a battle of the mind. It was also a very targeted battle. Satan was not just tempting Jesus because He was hungry, Satan was prompting Jesus with a...

1. Temptation to Turn From God’s Program

Just like Eve and Adam were tempted to choose for themselves what they would do, Satan is trying to tempt Jesus to choose for Himself what He should do. Surely there was an easier way to get people to listen and follow Jesus than dying to do so.

I want you to picture it this way. Jesus has just finished His fast and God has given Him a game plan. He is to begin His journey to the cross. He is to begin with recruiting followers He can teach to carry on once He is gone.

He stands up and prepares to make His way to begin. His stomach growls and an idea pops into His mind. There are easier ways to assert Your kingdom. Then three ways of doing so come to mind.

a. The Economic Reward approach, vv 3, 4

Matthew 4:3–4 NIV

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

As new Christians, things come to our mind that are contrary to what we feel God is telling us or leading us. We often do not recognize that these are coming from the enemy. However, as we grow in our maturity, we recognize the source of these temptations. Once we do, these battles of the mind feel more like face-to-face battles with the enemy. We can picture him in our minds as he tries to wheedle us into sin. I believe that is why the author writes it this way. These conversations may have been in the mind but they are as real as if Satan were standing visibly before Jesus. And keep in mind, that the only way the Bible authors could have known about this was because Jesus shared it with them as He taught them.

Temptations are not wrong. In fact, the Greek word for tempt actually means “tested.” Satan’s work of tempting is a way of testing us and making us stronger. Jesus is experiencing this in this moment.

He is being tempted to take care of His hunger by using His power selfishly for His own needs. But it really is not as simple as all that. He is being tempted to give up this notion of living like a man, with the limitations of man. After all, He is God’s Son. When Satan says, “IF you are the Son of God” as if there was any doubt of this. Satan knows exactly who He is. What Satan is implying to Jesus mind is, “Since You are God’s Son, You do not need to suffer like this. You can make things easier on Yourself by just turning these stones into bread.” To take it further, it implies that Jesus need not suffer like a human man. Instead, He can prove His power to provide the common needs of the people and they will follow. This is about gaining people’s allegiance by appealing to their senses: greed, appetite, lusts, etc...

Later, Jesus does feed 4,000 and another time 5,000. Yet, that does not win the hearts of the people for long. Jesus understood that providing bread would not hold the people for long. They would only follow Jesus as long as He supplied for their needs and wants, but that did not give them a heart for God. A heart for God would only come through a desire for God Himself.

Jesus did not come to gain the people’s allegiance, but to help to turn their hearts to God.

Then another idea comes to mind.

b. The Miraculous Signs Approach, vv 5-7

Then a vision comes to mind of the pinnacle of the Temple. A high point about a deep valley where priests would stand and blow the shofar trumpet. What a spectacle it would be to stand on that point and leap off landing lightly on His feet with no harm. That would get the people’s allegiance.

Matthew 4:5–7 NIV

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Grand stand. Make like Superman and people will worship and follow you. Once again, Jesus is tempted to take an easier path than God has laid forth. No need to die! All you need to do is get people to follow you. Show them the mighty things you can do and they will follow you.

Here we see scripture being used in a wrong manner. A portion of Psalm 91 is taken out of context to make a point.

Have you ever heard someone misquote scripture or use it out of context to make a point? It happens a lot. Even televisions shows create characters who do so. If I remember right, Archie Bunker in “All in the Family” used to misquote a lot of scripture.

Have you ever been somewhere and a small portion of scripture pops into your mind? We need to be careful about assuming just because a verse comes to mind that it is right for our situation. We need to either know and understand the context or we need to go look it up before we trust it. Satan likes to pop verses in our mind that are not true to the context they were written.

However, Jesus understands that this is a dead end road. People will just want greater and greater signs. Jesus performed many signs and ever time He turned around, someone was asking Him to give a sign. He had given plenty of signs but they were never enough. They never will be. Jesus turns the table by calling upon scripture in right context.

Where this temptation was to use the sensational, the next is the most devious of all.

c. Worship me and I will give you what you want without sacrifice, vv 8-10

Matthew 4:8–10 NIV

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Another vision comes to mind. All the kingdoms of the world. Jesus is promised by the Father to be King over all these nations, but Satan offers Jesus the same thing without dying on the cross. Serve me and I will give you what you have been promised without the sacrifice. I will make it easy on you.

Satan tempts Jesus with power of rulership. However, Jesus is not interested in ruling for power. Jesus desires to bring peace and comfort. Jesus is about love not the power that men seek to control others.

All of these temptations were to take His own path and to desert the path that God the Father has called Jesus to.

However, Jesus once again quotes scripture appropriately and continues in submission to the Father’s will. Love for the Father and love for humankind won out over the temptations to take an easier route. No other road would achieve Jesus true purpose of restoring our relationship with the Father. Even though Jesus did perform signs, and did provide food on occasion, His first purpose was to reveal the Father through the Holy Word. He came to teach and bring understanding to the truth found in the Word. So much of it had been twisted and perverted from God’s intention. Jesus wanted us to see the Father in the Word and to have a true understanding of it.

Love for the Father and a knowledge of His Word are the only means we have to win over temptation. God’s Word helps us to know the Father and gives us the best protection against the enemy.

Once this battle ended, God did provide for Jesus.

Matthew 4:11 NIV

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus had accomplished what needed to be accomplished here. He faced the enemy and where Adam had failed, Jesus succeeded. He had stood His ground against physical hunger and fatigue. He had withstood the temptation to take an easier road or to follow His own path. He had turned away from the social and political powers offered Him. In these 3 temptations, Jesus faced the root temptations of everything we ever face: physical pleasure, social appreciation, or political power.

Hebrews 4:15 says,

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Now that this time has passed for Jesus, we should not assume He was never tempted again. In fact, Luke says,

Luke 4:13 NIV

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

We know of two other times He was tempted. Peter was used to prompt Jesus to cast off this idea of dying and Jesus rebuked him as a tool of Satan. We also know that in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus prayed we understand that some of these same temptations would have come to mind as He struggled with the death He was about to face.

Now comes the next question. Where does He go from here? Where is He to start this ministry? Whenever we are called by God, we have to find...

B. The Starting Point, vv 12-17

Matthew 4:12–14 NIV

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

I believe it worked for Jesus like it works for us. Sometimes God gives us a clear destination but sometimes we set out and allow circumstances to guide us. I do not believe Jesus saw and knew everything clearly. Yes, He was God but He was operating like a human. Sometimes God seems to have given Him details (like when He saw Andrew sitting under the tree). Yet, other times, He found things out as He went along like we observe in v. 12. He did not know that John was in prison, He heard that John was in prison.

Chances are when Jesus came out of the desert, He came out about the same place He entered. He would then proceed to Jerusalem where He hears about John being in prison. This is a clear signal that it is probably not safe for Him in Jerusalem at this time. He and John’s ministries will be considered linked. Herod has imprisoned John because he is fearful of an uprising being started. If he links Jesus with John, he may arrest Jesus for the same reason. The Pharisees and Sadducees are also already in an uproar over John, so Jesus does what is natural. He returns home. However, things do not go well at home. Nazareth is a Jewish community and we already see the Jews refusing to accept Jesus ministry. It does not say much here, but in other scriptures we know that Nazareth did not accept Jesus. After all, isn’t this the child that grew up among them? How could He be the Messiah?

So, Jesus moves on and finds Himself in Capernaum and it becomes clear that this is the right place. So, let’s look at...

1. The Capernaum, Galilee Advantage

Map

a. It fulfills prophecy, Isaiah 9:1-2

Matthew quotes the prophecy from Isaiah 9 revealing how this fits the Word of God regarding the Messiah.

Isaiah 9:1–2 NIV

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Capernaum becomes Jesus home during these early years of His ministry.

b. It was far enough away from Jerusalem

Jesus greatest threat was from those in Jerusalem. Galilee was the northern tip of Palestine providing Jesus safety as He begins His ministry.

c. It was densely populated

It was the most fertile property and so it was densely populated allowing Jesus the highest number of people to hear Him where He was safe.

d. Highest concentration of Gentiles

There were a large number of Gentiles that lived in this part of Palestine. This meant that the Jews living there had greater Gentile influence so they were more likely to listen to new ideas.

e. Its centrality provided world exposure

The great roads of the world passed through there. Travelers all over the world came through Galilee passing from one place to another. It gave world exposure to Jesus message.

f. A high population of fishermen

Ever wonder why Jesus called so many fishermen? They were hard workers. They knew what it was like to put in long days and have few leisure moments. They were tough and not easily intimidated. We see this in their demeanor, nicknames and actions. James and John were called “Sons of Thunder.” Peter quickly lops off a man’s ear without hesitation. Galilee was known for brawls and fast tempers. The men that lived there were tough and solid. These were the kind of men that Jesus called. They also became some of the best examples of the kind of changes God can bring to a life.

Conclusion:

We often miss a lot from the accounts of Jesus life because we see Him as we know Him now. The Son of God in all His glory. However, in that day, He was also the Son of Joseph and Mary. He lived and experienced life as a man. In those moments in the desert, He would have experienced conflict within Himself. His love of God and man was perfect since He was God. Yet, His humanity would have strained under the knowledge of what was expected of Him. He would have felt the pull of the temptation even though His understanding would not allow Him to yield.

Like the man in the boxing ring who went for the full measure of time and had the best comprehension of just how tough the other guy was. Jesus withstood the temptations that we all have at some point failed at. He knows better than we ever will, just how tough it is to stand under the strain of it. We need to be thankful that He was tough enough to stand because if He had failed, we would have no chance to be saved.

When we are tempted, we need to remember that we have two great tools on our side. God’s Word for one. We need to continually be studying it and understanding it. With proper understanding, we have a great weapon against the enemy.

The second is the knowledge that Jesus Spirit lives within us. If we cry out to Him, He will direct us to a way out of it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.

Pray