The Devil's Tests

Matthew 4:1-11

Good morning, everyone. Today we gather to delve into one of the pivotal moments in the Gospel of Matthew, a passage that strikes at the core of spiritual resilience and the essence of faith. We turn our attention to Matthew 4:1-11, a narrative that unfolds in the desolate wilderness, where Jesus faces the fierce temptations presented by the devil.

Imagine a scene of stark contrast between the isolation of the wilderness and the steadfast presence of divine purpose. Jesus, having fasted for forty days and forty nights, stands at the cusp of his public ministry. It is here, in this vulnerable state, that he encounters three potent temptations, each challenging him to forsake his divine mission for immediate gratification, power, and glory.

These temptations are not just historical accounts of Jesus’s struggle; they are mirrors reflecting the daily trials that each of us confronts. In an age where the pursuit of success, pleasure, and power often clamors for our attention, this passage urges us to consider where we place our trust and how we respond in times of trial.

As we explore this text, we will uncover how Jesus exemplifies unwavering faith and reliance on Scripture to navigate temptation. We will reflect on what this passage teaches us about fortitude, identity, and the power of God’s Word. May this message inspire us to find strength in our moments of weakness and to emerge victorious over the challenges that seek to divert us from our divine purpose.

Matthew C. The King’s Testing (4:1–11)

4:1. These verses describe the moral testing of the king. High moral character is essential to effective leadership. We perform much the same testing of people who present themselves for leadership positions. Unfortunately, our culture has lost its bearings in this regard. This is a foreshadowing of our ultimate fall and judgment if we do not repent. But Jesus’ testing here is more of a powerful demonstration of his capacity than an “I-wonder-if-he will-pass” kind of test. God himself has recognized such testing as a necessary part of Messiah’s ministry.

Jesus’ preparation for ministry involved a combination of pleasant experiences (the affirmation at his baptism) and unpleasant experiences (his fasting and temptation). God uses the same pattern in our lives, and we should be surprised at neither great outward blessing nor great trials in our lives. Jesus faced forty days of direct confrontation with the archenemy whom his messianic ministry would destroy. Satan, the adversary, is always seeking to usurp God’s place and oppose God’s will.

One practical implication we may draw from this passage is that temptation itself is not a sin. Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (

The First Temptation

Matthew C. The King’s Testing (4:1–11)

4:2. It is possible to fast forty days without food, but not without water, especially in an arid, hot climate like the Judean wilderness. The understatement about Jesus’ hunger is intended to show that Jesus fought his battle with a serious handicap but still came out victorious.

4:3–4. Satan’s words in Jesus’ first temptation indicate that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and Satan acknowledged the fact. This might be better translated, “Since you are the Son of God.” See exactly the same wording used with sarcasm in 27:40. Satan was not questioning the fact of Jesus’ son-ship, but he was tempting him to misuse it.

In this first temptation Satan was tempting Jesus to rely on his own self-provision, rather than on the provision of God. Jesus often insisted he would do nothing of his own will. He came to do the Father’s will only. This would have been a departure from the mission on which the Father had sent him. Jesus would have been exercising improper independence.

Matthew C. The King’s Testing (4:1–11)

Satan’s temptations follow the familiar pattern he used in Eden and which he has used ever since—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (

The Second Temptation

Matthew C. The King’s Testing (4:1–11)

4:5–7. The highest point in Satan’s second temptation refers to the high southeast corner of the temple platform that overlooked the great depth of the Kidron Valley. This was a temptation to be “showy,” to do miraculous works to draw attention.

Again Satan used a conditional statement, If you are the Son of God. Again, he was not challenging Jesus’ sonship, but he was using it as a basis to argue to a false conclusion—that it is appropriate to “force” God into supernatural demonstrations of his faithfulness to intervene for our good. In this temptation Jesus was tempted to exercise improper dependence to “force” divine intervention. That is sin.

Satan, in quoting

Application:

As we tell the Good News, we must look to Jesus as our model for significant ministry. We should expect God to use both pleasant (affirming) experiences and unpleasant (stretching) experiences to prepare us for ministry.

We must combat temptation by memorizing God’s Word and by relying on God’s total sufficiency.

Conclusion:

Never underestimate the value of preparation. We see God’s method of preparing men and women for service throughout Scripture. Moses spent many years of character-building in the desert before God called him to lead His people out of Egypt.

Daniel and Joseph similarly spent long periods of time in preparation for their God-given missions. Our ultimate example is Jesus, who invested the first thirty years of His life in preparation for three years of effective ministry. God is always more interested in development of the person into the image of Christ.

When temptation comes my beloved. whenever you face trials of many kinds consider them in pure joy my brothers and sisters. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance of your faith. The more a tree is blasted by strong winds, the deeper into the earth it sends its roots.

It is to His glory that we have been created. Lets us always recognize this. In Jesus name we pray . Amen.