Baptism and Temptation

The Baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13–17 NKJV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The Right Action, 13-15

His baptism by John was deliberate

It was a three-day journey from Galilee to John

His baptism by John was conspicuous

John’s message was “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

Jesus identified with and confirmed John’s message

Jesus was identified by and received John’s witness

His baptism by John was instructive

It was fitting (appropriate, even necessary) to fulfill (fill to the fullest) righteousness.

It is always right to do what is right. It is never right to do anything less.

The Recognized Action, 16-17

God confirmed the rightness of Jesus’ action and its underlying significance

God presented a clear picture of the Trinity

Jesus, God the Son was standing in the river

God the Father spoke from Heaven

God the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove

Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry. We would consider it a high spiritual moment. His next step was a challenge to Him, just as they will be to us.

The Temptation of Jesus, Matthew 4:1-11

The Preparation, 1-2

Matthew 4:1–2 NKJV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

Initiated by the Holy Spirit of God

Facilitated by Satan (the opposer or adversary who is also the deceiver, accuser, and—perhaps, strangely to us—the examiner)

Preceded by weakening (a foty-day fast left Jesus in a physically weakened state)

As we view Jesus’ temptation, it is worth comparing Eve’s temptation in Genesis 3:1-7, and John’s summation of temptation in 1 John 2:16.

The First Temptation, 3-4

Matthew 4:3–4 NKJV

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

The Temptation: Satisfy your appetite

Eve: good for food

John: The lust of the flesh

The Response: God’s Word is greater than my want

The Second Temptation, 5-7

Matthew 4:5–7 NKJV

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

The Temptation: Demonstrate your immortality

Eve: I will not surely die

John: The pride of life

The Response: Don’t dare God

The Warning: Satan will try to wield Scripture against you!

The Third Temptation, 8-10

Matthew 4:8–10 NKJV

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

The Temptation: Seize the destiny you envision

Eve: pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise

John: The lust of the eyes

The Response: Only God is worthy of my worship and my service

The Completion, 11

Matthew 4:11 NKJV

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

The examination ended and the examiner left

The satisfaction of all that He refused entered

Conclusion

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

We will be tempted like Jesus was (and like Eve was and like John said we would be). Jesus sympathizes with our temptation: He understands it, He ministers to us in it, He strengthens us to overcome it…and He forgives us when we succumb to it.

How does temptation work?

James 1:13–15 NKJV

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Questions for Further Reflection (Courtesy of Logos AI)

What was the significance of Jesus’ baptism as described in Matthew 3:13-17?

What are the implications of Jesus’ three-day journey to be baptized by John?

In what ways does the baptism of Jesus serve as a clear representation of the Trinity?

How does the sermon relate the temptations of Jesus to the temptations faced by Eve and John?

What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ responses to each temptation?

What does the sermon teach about the relationship between temptation and our desires?

How can understanding Jesus’ temptations help us in our own struggles with temptation?