Luke 4:1-14a

Observations:

v. 1-2, At the final preparation of Jesus’ ministry, He is sent to the wilderness, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, for the purpose of being tempted by the devil. He was without food for forty days, and at the end of His time of fasting, He was notably hungry.

By the devil (4:2). In the New Testament the tempter is sometimes called the “devil” and sometimes “Satan.” Satan, whose name in Hebrew means “adversary” or “accuser,” appears in the Old Testament as the tester or accuser of God’s people.109 The lxx translates these passages with the Greek word diabolos, which means “accuser” or “slanderer.” In the New Testament Satan appears as a personal adversary, opposing God’s purpose and his people.

        Why was this necessary?

“Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God… Fasting denies our flesh what it wants so that we can focus more clearly on strengthening our spirits… During those forty days, when Jesus’ flesh was at its weakest, He endured relentless temptation from Satan… After [His] fast… He had conquered temptation and was ready to embrace the purpose for which the Father had sent Him. He would not rely on His humanity… Fasting was a way to declare mastery over His human nature so that He would live every moment directed by “the power of the Spirit”… If the Son of God did not rely on His flesh to live in obedience to God, then we can’t either.”

        What was Luke’s purpose in noting Jesus’ hunger? To demonstrate that Jesus was not just hungry, He was HUNGRY. He was in a state that severely impacted His person and thereby His decisions.

v. 3-4, the devil comes into the picture, he tempts Jesus with food. Jesus responds with Scripture.

        Why did Jesus refuse to turn stones into bread? What about this is temptation?

The temptation was really directed against Jesus’ obedience to the Father and suggested to him that the satisfaction of his bodily needs was more important than the spiritual experience which leads to a strong character (Rom. 5:3). Jesus responded by quoting the scriptural principle that a person’s real life does not depend upon the satisfaction of physical hunger. The point of the quotation is that the devil made an attractive suggestion to Jesus, but Jesus refused it because it went against Scripture.

v. 5-8, next the devil attempts to tempt Jesus to worship him, in exchange for the world. Jesus responds with Scripture. The devil claims that the world has been handed to him and that it is therefore his to give to whoever he wishes. Jesus doesn’t dispute this. Is this because it is true?

Luke uses oikoumenē(“inhabited world”; cf. 2:1). This word, often used of the Roman empire, gives this temptation a stronger political flavor and so stresses Satan’s offer of messianic rule over the nations (cf. Ps. 2:8).

For it has been given to me (4:6). The devil’s power and authority in the world is a common theme in the New Testament. In the Johannine writings he is identified as the “prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), and the whole world is under his control (1 John 5:19). Paul calls him the “god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4) and the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Eph. 2:2). Yet Satan’s authority is mediated by God, who is sovereign over all things (Dan. 4:32). “It has been given” is a divine passive. As in the case of Job (Job 1:12), God allows Satan a measure of freedom to test believers in the present age.

I can give it to anyone I want (4:6). In light of the previous note, this must be seen as a half-truth, or perhaps Satan’s own self-deception. Similar arrogant boasts were made by the Caesars. The emperor Nero once said, “I have the power to take away kingdoms and to bestow them.”

Then (5–8) Jesus was taken to a high point from which the entire world could be seen. As its apparent ruler (Jn. 12:31), the devil offered to surrender dominion over it to Jesus if he would acknowledge his higher authority. The temptation was less subtle this time. Ultimately, however, the world does not belong to the devil; his promises are not to be trusted; and to bow to him is incompatible with serving God alone (Dt. 6:13).

v. 9-14a, the devil’s last temptation is to cast Himself off a tower to prove His identity, going so far as to quote Scripture himself. Jesus responds with Scripture. Notably, every time Jesus responds, He is brief, to the point, using God’s Word. When the devil finished every temptation he left, but not forever. We are told he left until an opportune time. The enemy prowls like a lion, waiting to find us at our weakest.

Lastly, He returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, having conquered His own flesh by the power of the Spirit, who dwelled within Him.

The devil responds to Jesus’ Scripture quotations by quoting one himself (Ps. 91:11–12). The psalm promises divine protection for those who are faithful to God. Jesus refuses to misuse this passage by putting God to the test.

Finally (9–12), the devil, defeated by Scripture, tried to quote it in his own interests. He suggested that Ps. 91:11–12 justified Jesus in leaping down from the high colonnade of the temple into the Kidron Valley below. The devil made out this act to be a demonstration of Jesus’ trust as a Son in his Father. It would in fact have been an act of unbelief; people don’t test somebody in whom they have complete trust, especially when that person is God (Dt. 6:16). To have yielded to the suggestion would have been in effect to doubt that he was really God’s Son and that his Father was trustworthy. Thus the devil was repulsed each time and withdrew from the conflict for the time being. Although he does not reappear in the story by name until 22:3, he was active in the period in between (e.g. 13:16; 22:31).

The temptations were all directed against Jesus as the Son of God. They were not specifically directed against his work as Messiah, encouraging him to win over people by spectacular miracles, but against his inner relationship to God on which his status as Messiah rests.

Exegetical Idea/Big Idea:

In the final preparation of Jesus’ ministry, He is sent by God into trial, to be brought to His humanly weakest, where He will have the devil himself unleashed upon Him.

Three temptations (attacks on the Jesus’ identity) are presented to Jesus/2nd Adam/Israel(?)

Food (reliance on flesh over spirit)

Stone to Bread/Forbidden Fruit to god/Depend on God, failed

Worship?

Worship the devil/worship yourself/Worship only God, failed

Identity?

Son of God/son of God?/put God to the test

Jesus’ responds briefly, concisely, and solely biblically. Undergirding these responses is the steadfast obedience of the Son to the will of the Father.

Big Idea: To survive the spiritual warfare that we are in, we must have a keen understanding of who we are in Christ, what it means to be in Christ, and how to abide in Christ.

Homiletical Idea

Like Jesus, we too will encounter the war tactics of our spiritual adversary. Like Jesus, we too must rely on His Word and Spirit to endure and conquer our flesh, the world, and the devil.

Liturgical Idea

What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)

Praise God for showing us how we defeat our adversary.

Praise God for giving His people the means to win in this warfare.

Praise Christ for His steadfast obedience!

What should we confess to God? (Repent)

That unlike Jesus, we have failed to depend on God, we have worshipped false gods, and we often have doubted, disbelieved or worse, apathetically put God’s grace and mercy to the test.

What should we ask God for? (Request)

Ask God for the help we need to live in steadfast obedience unto Him to partake in His steadfast love for us.

Help us to rely on Your Spirit

Help us to guard our hearts from idols

Help us to trust in You and in Your Word

What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)

What should we live out for God? (Service)

Cultivating a heart of steadfast obedience.

Intro:

Recap:

Luke 3:23-28,

How does this fit within the author’s narrative?

How does it fulfill the promises of God?

What glimmers of grace do we see in this?

Prayer

Read Luke 4:1-13,

Head- What does it mean?

(10-15 min.)

v. 1-13, Jesus Goes to be Tempted

v. 1-4,

v. 1-2, At the final preparation of Jesus’ ministry, He is sent to the wilderness, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, for the purpose of being tempted by the devil. He was without food for forty days, and at the end of His time of fasting, He was notably hungry.

By the devil (4:2). In the New Testament the tempter is sometimes called the “devil” and sometimes “Satan.” Satan, whose name in Hebrew means “adversary” or “accuser,” appears in the Old Testament as the tester or accuser of God’s people.109 The lxx translates these passages with the Greek word diabolos, which means “accuser” or “slanderer.” In the New Testament Satan appears as a personal adversary, opposing God’s purpose and his people.

        Why was this necessary?

“Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God… Fasting denies our flesh what it wants so that we can focus more clearly on strengthening our spirits… During those forty days, when Jesus’ flesh was at its weakest, He endured relentless temptation from Satan… After [His] fast… He had conquered temptation and was ready to embrace the purpose for which the Father had sent Him. He would not rely on His humanity… Fasting was a way to declare mastery over His human nature so that He would live every moment directed by “the power of the Spirit”… If the Son of God did not rely on His flesh to live in obedience to God, then we can’t either.”

        What was Luke’s purpose in noting Jesus’ hunger? To demonstrate that Jesus was not just hungry, He was HUNGRY. He was in a state that severely impacted His person and thereby His decisions.

v. 3-4, the devil comes into the picture, he tempts Jesus with food. Jesus responds with Scripture.

        Why did Jesus refuse to turn stones into bread? What about this is temptation?

The temptation was really directed against Jesus’ obedience to the Father and suggested to him that the satisfaction of his bodily needs was more important than the spiritual experience which leads to a strong character (Rom. 5:3). Jesus responded by quoting the scriptural principle that a person’s real life does not depend upon the satisfaction of physical hunger. The point of the quotation is that the devil made an attractive suggestion to Jesus, but Jesus refused it because it went against Scripture.

Summarize:

Jesus, equipped with the presence of the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, fasted in preparation of His ministry ahead, where He is met up by the devil to be tempted.

He is tempted to alleviate His spiritual testing by satisfying His flesh.

v. 5-8,

v. 5-8, next the devil attempts to tempt Jesus to worship him, in exchange for the world. Jesus responds with Scripture. The devil claims that the world has been handed to him and that it is therefore his to give to whoever he wishes. Jesus doesn’t dispute this. Is this because it is true?

Luke uses oikoumenē(“inhabited world”; cf. 2:1). This word, often used of the Roman empire, gives this temptation a stronger political flavor and so stresses Satan’s offer of messianic rule over the nations (cf. Ps. 2:8).

For it has been given to me (4:6). The devil’s power and authority in the world is a common theme in the New Testament. In the Johannine writings he is identified as the “prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), and the whole world is under his control (1 John 5:19). Paul calls him the “god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4) and the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Eph. 2:2). Yet Satan’s authority is mediated by God, who is sovereign over all things (Dan. 4:32). “It has been given” is a divine passive. As in the case of Job (Job 1:12), God allows Satan a measure of freedom to test believers in the present age.

I can give it to anyone I want (4:6). In light of the previous note, this must be seen as a half-truth, or perhaps Satan’s own self-deception. Similar arrogant boasts were made by the Caesars. The emperor Nero once said, “I have the power to take away kingdoms and to bestow them.”

Then (5–8) Jesus was taken to a high point from which the entire world could be seen. As its apparent ruler (Jn. 12:31), the devil offered to surrender dominion over it to Jesus if he would acknowledge his higher authority. The temptation was less subtle this time. Ultimately, however, the world does not belong to the devil; his promises are not to be trusted; and to bow to him is incompatible with serving God alone (Dt. 6:13).

Summarize:

Next He is offered unlimited power if He will only bow to him.

v. 9-13,

v. 9-14a, the devil’s last temptation is to cast Himself off a tower to prove His identity, going so far as to quote Scripture himself. Jesus responds with Scripture. Notably, every time Jesus responds, He is brief, to the point, using God’s Word. When the devil finished every temptation he left, but not forever. We are told he left until an opportune time. The enemy prowls like a lion, waiting to find us at our weakest.

Lastly, He returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, having conquered His own flesh by the power of the Spirit, who dwelled within Him.

The devil responds to Jesus’ Scripture quotations by quoting one himself (Ps. 91:11–12). The psalm promises divine protection for those who are faithful to God. Jesus refuses to misuse this passage by putting God to the test.

Finally (9–12), the devil, defeated by Scripture, tried to quote it in his own interests. He suggested that Ps. 91:11–12 justified Jesus in leaping down from the high colonnade of the temple into the Kidron Valley below. The devil made out this act to be a demonstration of Jesus’ trust as a Son in his Father. It would in fact have been an act of unbelief; people don’t test somebody in whom they have complete trust, especially when that person is God (Dt. 6:16). To have yielded to the suggestion would have been in effect to doubt that he was really God’s Son and that his Father was trustworthy. Thus the devil was repulsed each time and withdrew from the conflict for the time being. Although he does not reappear in the story by name until 22:3, he was active in the period in between (e.g. 13:16; 22:31).

The temptations were all directed against Jesus as the Son of God. They were not specifically directed against his work as Messiah, encouraging him to win over people by spectacular miracles, but against his inner relationship to God on which his status as Messiah rests.

Summarize:

Last, He is told to prove His identity by testing God’s promise unto the Messiah. When Jesus successfully overcomes these temptations, the enemy leaves Him alone for now.

Jesus then returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.

Heart- Do I buy it?

(20-30 min)

Open the discussion for any questions.

What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)

Praise God for showing us how we defeat our adversary.

Praise God for giving His people the means to win in this warfare.

Praise Christ for His steadfast obedience!

What should we confess to God? (Repent)

That unlike Jesus, we have failed to depend on God, we have worshipped false gods, and we often have doubted, disbelieved or worse, apathetically put God’s grace and mercy to the test.

What should we ask God for? (Request)

Ask God for the help we need to live in steadfast obedience unto Him to partake in His steadfast love for us.

Help us to rely on Your Spirit

Help us to guard our hearts from idols

Help us to trust in You and in Your Word

What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)

Our self-dependence

Our idolatry

Our doubt

What should we live out for God? (Service)

Cultivating a heart of steadfast obedience.

Hands- So What? How then should I live?

(10-15 min)

Walk with God: What does steadfast obedience look like personally in your walk with God?

Keep Christ first: What does steadfast obedience look like personally when we keep Christ first?

Keep sin out of your life: What does steadfast obedience look like personally when you are keeping sin out of your life?

Personally, it is submitting to the highest good (steps towards further intimacy with God) at the cost of my own pride, ego, or selfish desire.

Like Jesus, we too will encounter the war tactics of our spiritual adversary. Like Jesus, we too must rely on His Word and Spirit to endure and conquer our flesh, the world, and the devil.