Matthew 4: 1-11 NLT 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
As you consider these questions look at what the devil first asked Jesus. He tempted Jesus at his weakest point but also to His greatest strength. Jesus, after fasting/not eating for forty days, was hungry and the devil tempts Him to eat though He made that commitment to not eat during that time. But the devil also questions His identity. The devil says if you are the Son of God. We read from the beginning that it was the Spirit of God that led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This would be Jesus opportunity to do what Adam and Eve did not. They disobeyed God and chose for themselves what they believed was best but we see Jesus denying Himself and doing what was right. Jesus obeyed God where Adam and Eve failed. When the tempter came to Eve she knew the word but still added a bit to it. Jesus immediately proclaimed God's word to the devil and did so all three times. He could have easily said depart from me and the devil would have, knowing very well who He is. But as an example to all who would come to believe, Jesus resists the devil in the power of the Holy Spirit with the word of God. Don't ever think you're strong enough to come against temptation on your own. If Jesus didn't, how much more should we follow His example. Notice also at the end that angels came and took care of Him. Angels are mentions 19 times in the book of Matthew. I'm not entirely sure how and when God has His angels help us as believers but I do know that cares for us. It was the Spirit of God who led Jesus to be tempted to prove- in other words, show or reveal- who Jesus is- The promised Snake Crushing King. Ask Yourself:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:1-5 NLT We fight from victory not for it- Jesus won the victory for us. So let us both rest and battle in the Lord by His His Spirit. Have a great day, Love Ones, and God bless you real good!
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