Temptation of Jesus
February 17, 2002
Matthew 4:1-11
1st Sunday in Lent
Galena-Warwick United Methodist Charge
Warwick & Galena, Maryland
Rev. Dr. Lawrence D. Jameson
larry@larryjameson.com

back to our church home page

Matthew 4:1-11

What is the temptation of Jesus?

It is a part of the Bible, recorded in the gospels  of Matthew, Mark, and Luke about how Jesus started his ministry.

Right after the baptism, before he called any disciples, before he performed any miracles, before he healed any sick people, or did anything noteworthy, Jesus went out into the wilderness on a spiritual journey.

He fasted for forty days and forty nights.  He was all alone.

He wrestled with the issues that would  decide his success or failure.

It was an important time.

If the Lord was all alone in the wilderness, then how do we know all these details?  The answer is simple.  Later on, after it was over,  Jesus told his disciples about this experience. He shared his heart with the people he trusted most.

That is important.

Jesus told his disciples about his own personal struggles and temptations. And because we follow his example, we share our struggles with each other.

Before we get into the details of the temptation story it is a good idea for us to ask what's the point?  How does this temptation experience benefit us?

For one thing, it tells us that  being a Christian isn't easy. It is a struggle. That fact  is often overlooked.

That's why we have Lent.  Lent lasts for forty days. It starts of Ash Wednesday, and it ends on Easter. It reminds us that being a Christian is not easy.

Today is the first Sunday in Lent. 

The temptation story helps us understand more about Jesus.

Hebrews 4:15 puts it this way:

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

Lent is important because there is more to Christianity than Easter Sunday.   Jesus broke the power of sin with every step he took, with every word he spoke,  with every person he touched.

His victory was every day. His victory is every day.

Jesus is worthy of our worship and praise because his perfect life has set us free from the power of temptation and the devil.

Those are just a few of the reasons why we study this passage.

There are three parts to the temptation narrative.

Let's consider them one at a time.

The FIRST Temptation

3

The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of

God, tell these stones to become bread."

4

Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread

alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of

God.' "

The first temptation was clever.  The devil knew Jesus was tired and hungry. But there was more here than physical need.

The devil said, "If you are the Son of God,"

That was the heart of the matter right there.

Jesus knew who he was.

At the baptism, God the Father confirmed this.

Matthew 3:16-17

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Jesus knew who he was.

Hunger didn't change that.

Weakness didn't change that.

Loneliness didn't change that.

If the devil could get Jesus to doubt who he was,  then the devil would win. 

Is that true for you and me?      Yes!

We need to know who we are.   And when you know who you are, hunger won't change that.  Weakness won't change that.  Loneliness won't change that.

The devil said, 

"If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

After reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,  do you ever remember an occasion that Jesus used his miracle power  to benefit himself or meet his own personal needs?

The answer is, NO. He never did that. Not even once.

Jesus had the ability to feed thousands,   and he did on at least two different occasions,  but he never performed a miracle to feed himself.

Jesus had the ability to control the weather,  he had the authority to change the laws of nature, he could heal, he could create money, he could kill, and he could rule, 

but he never used his abilities  to protect himself,  to make himself comfortable,  or to provide for his own needs or desires.

Why?

There was something more important to Jesus:

You and Me.

Jesus loves you and me more than his own comfort or safety.

Let me repeat that.

Jesus loves you and me more than his own comfort or safety.

The opportunity to  use his divine authority  to meet his own needs instead of helping his people  was a temptation  that followed him  throughout his entire ministry.  If he had given in,  the devil would have won and we would have lost.

But thanks be to God,  Jesus did not misdirect his authority.

Instead, he protected himself by quoting the Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:3

"It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone,  but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

The Scripture was a powerful defense for Jesus and the same is true for you and me.

Three times the devil tempted the Lord, and three times Jesus defended himself with memorized Scripture.

Let's consider Deuteronomy 8:3 for a few moments.

`Man does not live on bread alone,  but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

This is a great verse.

It does not deny that we need food because it says Man does not live on bread ALONE.

We need food, BUT  we need God more than food.

God is the true source of our life.

Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and he was close to death, but his relationship with the Heavenly Father was stronger.

Are we tempted in this way?  Perhaps not to the point of starvation but it is important for us to know that God is the source of our life.

The SECOND Temptation

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  6   "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "`He will  command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"  7  Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

What is this temptation all about?

A short cut.  It was a short cut.

The plan that God had was difficult:  death on a cross.

There had to be an easier way!

The devil suggested that Jesus take a short cut,   jump off of the  temple,  and then,   since he was the Messiah,  the angels would protect him,  and the Jewish people would see it  and they would make him king.

The cross wasn't necessary.

Obedience is over rated.

Suffering isn't all that great.

Why not do it the easy way?

It could have happened just that way,  and Jesus would be king. 

But something else would have been set aside.

You and Me.

You see, Jesus loves You and Me  more than he loves his throne.

Let me repeat that.

Jesus loves You and Me  more than he loves his throne.

Without the cross,  your sins and my sins  would not have been paid for.   We would have to pay the price and the price is eternal separation from God.

Jesus would be king   but we would not be there.

So how did Jesus respond?

He protected himself by quoting the Scripture  in Deuteronomy 6:16

Jesus answered him,   "It is also written:  `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

What does Deuteronomy 6:16 mean?

It means  that it isn't a good idea  to try and take short cuts  around the known will of God.

If you love God, and trust him,  you won't test him with disobedience. You will honor God by loving him with your whole heart.

That's what Jesus did.

Now Jesus has the throne

AND You & Me.

There is a pattern here that needs to be pointed out.

In response to the first temptation

Jesus quotes from Deut. 8:3.

In response to the second temptation Deut. 6:16

In the third temptation Deut. 6:13.

What's going on with Deuteronomy?

That is where the Bible records the journey of the children of Israel in the wilderness.  That's when they were tested.  That's when God instructed them.

Here is an important connection,  and you can see why  Jesus was there mentally.

The words of Deuteronomy were on his heart and they provided a strong defense.

Part of our defense against temptation is to read the Old Testament and hide it in our heart.  Just like Jesus did.

Are we tempted to take short cuts?   Absolutely.

We face that temptation all the time.

The THIRD Temptation

8  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their  splendor.  9  "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."  10  Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written:  `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "

What is this temptation all about?

Power.

Do you know the old saying:

"Power corrupts,  and absolute power corrupts, absolutely".

It isn't true.   Jesus proved that saying wrong.

This is how we know. Matthew 4:10

Jesus said to him,  "Away from me, Satan! For it is written:  `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "

Jesus was offered more power  than George Bush,  or Adolf Hitler, or Bill Gates, or Alexander the Great. And Jesus was not corrupted.

He quoted Deuteronomy 6:13  and he was protected.

Why?

Jesus loves You and Me  more than he loves power.

Let me repeat that.

Jesus loves You and Me  more than he loves power.

The love of God holds more power than we realize.

The love of God  is available to you and me  to help us say no to temptation and yes to the tough road of discipleship.

Praise the Lord for the victory of Jesus Christ over hunger, the wilderness, temptation, and testing. 

Praise the Lord for our victory with Christ!  Amen.

back to our church home page