The Baptism

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus: An inspiration for Discipleship

1. Identity Affirmed

Mark 1:9 NIV

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Mark 1:10 NIV

Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Mark 1:11 NIV

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

2. Obedience Over Appetite

Matthew 4:1 NIV

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:2 NIV

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Matthew 4:3 NIV

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Matthew 4:4 NIV

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

3. Trust Without Testing

Matthew 4:5 NIV

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

Matthew 4:6 NIV

“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.’”

Matthew 4:7 NIV

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

4. Worship Without Compromise

Matthew 4:8 NIV

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

Matthew 4:9 NIV

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:10 NIV

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Matthew 4:11 NIV

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

5. Victory Empowered by Spirit

Luke 4:1 NIV

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4:2 NIV

where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Luke 4:3 NIV

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Luke 4:4 NIV

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

Luke 4:5 NIV

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

Luke 4:6 NIV

And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

Luke 4:7 NIV

If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Luke 4:8 NIV

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Luke 4:9 NIV

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.

Luke 4:10 NIV

For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;

Luke 4:11 NIV

they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Luke 4:12 NIV

Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Luke 4:13 NIV

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