The Tempation of Jesus - Matt 4:1-11

Introduction

God’s word or bread ?

The Messiah was fully human and fully God

Matthew 4:1–4 (ESV)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Deuteronomy 9:9 (ESV)

When I went up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord made with you, I remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water.

1 Kings 19:8 (ESV)

And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

John 4:6,7

John 4:6(ESV)

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”

The Messiah was the son of David, the son of Abraham. ( Matt 1:1)

The Messiah is the beloved son of God in whom God is well pleased ( Matt 3:17)

The first temptation is way more than being hungry and flipping a stone into bread. it is about questioning Jesus if he will maintain a life as fully human without using his supernatural powers to his advantage or not.

why would Jesus choose to suffer hunger when he can put to use godly resources?

Matthew 26:53 ESV

Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Matthew 3:9 ESV

And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

God’s way of sustenance is not what culture may dictate. God has a way of challenging self-sustenance in order to manifest obedience.

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 4:4 ESV

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

The promised one was devoted to live by every word of God over his human needs even though he had the ability to take care of the supernaturally.

The messiah fully participated in man’s predicament

The promised messiah is able to sympathize with our weakness

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Trust or Test

Matthew 4:5–7 (ESV)

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Worship & serve God or instant accumulation?

Matthew 4:8–11 (ESV)

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Conclusion