The Temptation of Christ – Matthew 4:1-11 – February 12, 2017

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.’ ” 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.’ ” 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.

Introduction

Parallel with Deut. 6-8

Both sons are hungry

Both sons are tested by God's design

Jesus' temptation is real

Hebrews 2:14–18 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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.

Jesus is the greater King

Remember, Matthew present's Jesus as king

John 12:31 calls Satan the ruler of this world

2 Corinthians 4:4 calls Satan the god of this world

Jesus uses Scripture to defeat temptation

Matthew 4:1 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

I. Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted (4:1)

Tempt can mean "test"

Application: Temptation is not sin and is sometimes the will of God

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 4:2–4 ESV

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.’ ”

Is it sin to eat when you are hungary?

Why was this a temptation to sin?

"If you are the Son of God"

This clause sets the theme of Satan's temptation

Not casting doubt but tempting with what He deserves

"command these stones to become loves of bread"

Similar to how the father provided manna to Israel, Satan's temptation to Jesus is to take to role of the Father.

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

His answer uses Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3)

His answer defers to the Father

II. Jesus submits to the will of the Father (4:2-4)

Jesus is our perfect example of submission to the Father's will

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.’ ”

Then the devil took him to the holy city

Jeusalem

and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God,

Again, Satan taunts Jesus Sonship

throw yourself down,

Satan challenges Jesus to jump

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.’

Satan misquotes Psalm 91:11-12

More than a misquote, he misapplies it. The verses promise protection by angels to those who trust God

” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Jesus again uses Scripture to counter Satan's temptation

III. Jesus is careful to discern the commands of Scripture

Jesus is our perfect example of how to handle Scripture

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.