GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Chapter 4
4:1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
4:1 This time of testing showed that Jesus really was the Son of God, able to overcome the devil and his temptations. A person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey. We read in Deut. 8:2 that God led Israel into the desert to humble and test them. God wanted to see whether or not his people would really obey him. We too will be tested. Because we know that testing will come, we should be alert and ready for it. Remember, your convictions are only strong if they hold up under pressure!
4:1 The devil, also called Satan, tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, and here he tempted Jesus in the desert. Satan is a fallen angel. He is real, not symbolic, and is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are real, and he is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God’s way. Jesus will one day reign over all creation, but Satan tried to force his hand and get him to declare his kingship prematurely. If Jesus had given in, his mission on earth—to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life—would have been lost. When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for your life or for someone else’s life.
4:1ff This temptation by the devil shows us that Jesus was human, and it gave Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God’s plan for his ministry. It also gives us an example to follow when we are tempted. Jesus’ temptation was an important demonstration of his sinlessness. He would face temptation and not give in.
4:1ff Jesus was tempted by the devil, but he never sinned! Although we may feel dirty after being tempted, we should remember that temptation itself is not sin. We sin when we give in and disobey God. Remembering this will help us turn away from the temptation.
4:1ff Jesus wasn’t tempted inside the temple or at his baptism but in the desert where he was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable—when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty). But he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride (see the note on § Luke 4:3ff). We must guard at all times against his attacks.
4:1-10 The devil’s temptations focused on three crucial areas:
- Physical needs and desires,
- Possessions and power, and
- Pride (see 1 John 2:15-16 for a similar list). But Jesus did not give in. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”
He knows firsthand what we are experiencing, and he is willing and able to help us in our struggles. When you are tempted, turn to him for strength.
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal told of a man living in Taiwan who claims the title of governor of Fukien Province. The problem is that Fukien, which is on the Chinese mainland, already has a governor who rules the affairs of its 27 million citizens. The other man's claim goes back to 1949, when the Nationalists fled China for Taiwan (then known as Formosa) after their defeat by the Chinese Communists.
The bottom line is that this Taiwanese man's claim to rule Fukien Province is essentially worthless. He has an office and a staff and carries on as if he were governor. But he has no real authority to rule at all.
Satan has also been carrying on as if he were a legitimate ruler. But at the temptation of Christ Satan's claims were proven to be false, and he was exposed as a temporary usurper.
The analogy doesn't hold at every point, of course. Unlike the ""governor"" in today's illustration, Satan does have real power. And at least for now, the kingdoms of the unbelieving world do lie in the devil's lap. But one day Jesus Christ will return as Ruler of all.
The temptation of Christ is an example of spiritual warfare without parallel. We can only read the text and watch awestruck as Jesus engages Satan in face-to-face battle. We do not believe that it was even possible for the sinless Son of God to yield to Satan's offers.
For that we can be eternally grateful! Whereas Adam and Eve had fallen to the serpent's temptation, there in the desert Jesus refused the temptation to bypass the cross. He also refused to go outside of the Father's will for His physical needs of food and protection.
We will never be tested to the same degree or with the same effects as Jesus was tested. But because He experienced temptation, He is sympathetic to us in our need (Heb. 4:14-16). And we can imitate Jesus' example by drawing on God's Word to refute and defeat Satan.
C.H. Spurgeon
A holy character does not avert temptation: Jesus was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; but in Christ’s case, it was like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes on striking when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of! Though you become greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but even seclusion will not guard us from the same trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human society into the wilderness and was tempted of the devil. Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow us into the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritual-minded persons endure the same; and in the holiest position we may suffer the darkest temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against Satanic temptation. Christ was consecrated through and through. It was His meat and drink to do the will of Him that sent Him; and yet He was tempted!
Your hearts may glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, and yet the devil will try to bring you down to Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armor, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation. Like the old knights in war time, we must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch deceiver will seize our first unguarded hour to make us his prey. The Lord keep us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear.
In The:
- Manger of His humility
- Workshop of His business
- Jordan of His submission
- Wilderness of His temptation
- Synagogue of His Church
- Home of His love
- Mountain of His prayer
- World of His compassion
- Friendship of His help
- Boat of His testimony
- Sphere of His work
- Will of His Father
- Place of His triumph
- Purpose of His determination
- Gethsemane of His sorrow
- Gabbatha of His persecution
- Power of His Spirit
- Cross of His death
- Might of His resurrection
- Glory of His ascension
- Mount of His Transfiguration
Matthew Henry
As by retiring into the wilderness he showed himself perfectly indifferent to the world, so by his fasting he showed himself perfectly indifferent to the body; and Satan cannot easily take hold of those who are thus loosened from, and dead to, the world and the flesh. The more we keep under the body, and bring it into subjection, the less advantage Satan has against us.
TODAY IN THE WORD
John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost tells the story of the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve. When he wrote the companion volume, Paradise Regained, the story of course featured Christ, the second Adam. But the poem does not tell the story of Christ’s redemptive death and resurrection, as one might expect. Instead, it dramatizes His temptation by Satan in the wilderness.
In Milton’s view, Christ’s victory in this event perfectly paralleled the Fall. Though our first parents succumbed to Satan’s temptation, Jesus did not. Because of His perfect obedience, the doors of heaven are open for all who believe.
Today’s account wasn’t the only time Jesus faced temptation, but it was a defining moment. He’d just been baptized by John, affirmed by His Father and the Spirit, and was about to embark on public ministry.
At this time, Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (v. 1). This shows us that temptation is not a sign we’re out of God’s will--quite the opposite. If we were off the path we’d already be where Satan wanted us. Since temptation was part of Jesus’ earthly journey, we can surely expect it to be part of ours.
With what did Satan tempt Christ? First, with physical need. He was hungry, and Satan suggested He make bread from stones. Second, with personal glory. If He jumped from the Temple, He would step into the sandals of the kind of Messiah everyone was expecting. And third, with immediate power. Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of this world.
How did our Lord respond? In all three cases, with quotations from Deuteronomy. Against the first temptation, He implied that God’s power is not to be used for selfish ends. Against the second, He pointed out that God’s promises can’t be abused for personal gain. To Satan’s third attempt, He proclaimed that God alone is worthy of worship. Compromise was out of the question. Sub-mission to God’s plan and timing was everything (cf. James 4:7).
Devil’s Viewpoint
A modernistic preacher...announced in defending his liberal theological position, “I’m not afraid of the Devil.”
“That is not what matters so much,” one of his acquaintances replied. “Let me ask you a more important question: Is the Devil afraid of you?”
C. H. Spurgeon
What a change it seems from the descent of the Holy Spirit to being led upinto the wilderness to be tempted of the devil! Dear friends, be especiallyon the watch after a great spiritual joy, for it is just then that you may havesome terrible temptation. Mayhap, the voice from heaven is to prepare youto do battle with the enemy. I have noticed that the Lord has two specialseasons of blessing his people; — sometimes, before a great trial, toprepare them for it; and, at other times, after a great affliction, to removethe weakness which has been thereby occasioned. Think not that you cancome up out of the waters of baptism, and then live without watchfulness.
Imagine not, because the Spirit has sealed you, and borne witness withyour spirit that you are the Lord’s child, that therefore you are out ofgunshot of the enemy. Oh, no! At that very time, he will be preparing hismost subtle temptations for you, just as Jesus was led up of the Spirit intothe wilderness to be tempted of the devil immediately after his baptism andhis Father’s testimony: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am wellpleased.”
Why Mormons Should Not Be In Your Home
Why Mormon missionaries should not be in your home...
Mormonism is not Christianity! It contradicts the basic premise of Christianity—that God became a man (Phil. 2:6).
Mormonism says a man became god and that men now living can become gods. Its most oft-quoted assumption is, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” Mormonism says Christ and the devil are brothers that Jesus was the result of an intimate (incestuous) relationship between God and His own daughter with whom he associated as a husband.
Mormonism is a cult! Like the other cults, Mormonism requires faith in its founder, claims to be the only true church, has additional scripture, redefines Christian terms, denies the existence of hell and renders insufficient a simple faith in Jesus. They gain most of their new members by proselyting.
They believe God forced Adam to sin, and that his sin was really a blessing in disguise.
Mormonism is deceptive. To them the end justifies the means. Any way to obtain converts is acceptable. Most claims to morality, a superior family life, etc., are grossly overstated. Utah, where they comprise over 70 percent of the state’s population, is not a Utopia.
Conclusion: Those who would invite Mormon missionaries into their homes violate 2 John 9-11 (“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive them not into your home, neither bid them God speed; For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds”).
Some have mistakenly excused themselves. When knowing little of Mormonism they invite Mormon missionaries in “to give their testimonies to them.” The missionary has perhaps heard more testimonies than you have. Their different understanding of terms makes it most unlikely that you will communicate. Hundreds who, with good intentions, gave their testimonies are now Mormons. Beware of the devil’s tactics. He is deceptive (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
TODAY IN THE WORD
Somewhere in the history of organized sports, a coaching staff tried out a new theory. These coaches reasoned that taking their teams away the night before a big game and putting the athletes up in a hotel gave them a competitive advantage. They felt that this cloistering would remove the athletes from the distractions of everyday life and allow the team to focus more thoroughly on the game ahead. For decades, this has been a common practice among both college and professional teams.
Jesus knew the value of concentrating on the task at hand, and He prepared for His contest with Satan as no person has ever prepared before or since. Forty days alone in the desert not only removed Jesus from every human contact that would demand His attention; by fasting, Jesus even said ""no"" to normal human needs in order to prepare Himself for the devil's looming temptations.
The temptation of our Lord allows us a glimpse at a level of spiritual warfare we would otherwise know nothing about. The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in the same ways we are tempted (Heb. 4:15), but we will never experience the intensity of the trial Jesus faced.
For example, we are often tempted to sell out in our worship, but Satan has never offered us all the kingdoms of the world in return for our homage (Matt. 4:8-9). Jesus' final temptation was another attempt by Satan to gain what he has always wanted: to be worshiped as God (Isa. 14:12-15).
Today's text reveals a fact you have probably experienced if you have been a believer for very long. When you decided to worship God, you became embroiled in the struggle of the ages: the cosmic contest between God and Satan for the hearts and minds of mankind.
4:2And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
Matthew Henry
Hereby we own ourselves unworthy of our necessary food, and that we have forfeited it and deserve to be wholly deprived of it, we punish ourselves and mortify the body, which has been the occasion of sin, we keep it in a frame fit to serve the soul in serving God and by the appetite’s craving food, the desires of the soul towards that which is better than life, and all the supports of it, are excited. This was in a special manner seasonable now that God was depriving them of their meat and drink for hereby they accommodated themselves to the affliction they were under. When God says “You shall fast”, it is time to say, “We will fast.”
Irish Proverb: A fast is better than a bad meal.
C. H. Spurgeon
I suppose that he was not “an hungred” during his long fast, and thisrenders it a fast altogether by itself. We are here told, “He was afterwardan hungered.”
Water Prolongs Fast
A man lying quietly in a cool room could live at most 12 days without water, but given water he could fast for more than two months.
Survival Limit Without Food
The American Medical Association explains that the time a human can live without food depends mainly on physical condition and the amount of fat stored in the body. But the A.M.A. thinks no one can live for more than nine to ten weeks without food.