Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ “
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “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.’ ”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do 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 splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ “
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
A Thought
Jesus is our perfect example as to how not to fall into the tempations of the devil. After fasting for 40 days and nights Jesus was hungry. Satan, questioning if Jesus is the Son of God, tells him to turn stones into bread. Jesus answers with the Word of God. Continuing to question if Jesus is the Son of God, Satan tells him to throw himself down fron the temple. Jesus again answers him with the Word of God. After showing Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, Satan offers to give it all to Jesus, if he will only bow down and worship him. Lastly, Jesus answers him with the Word of God and telling him to leave. Jesus knew the things that was ahead of him–betrayl, insults, beatings, pain, suffering, and the death on the cross, but he chose to be faithful to his Father and to redeem us back to God.
Remember the words that Jesus spoke when Satan came to tempt him: 1. ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 2. ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ 3. “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ”
Our Prayer
Father thank you that your word is powerful enough to fight all temptations that Satan brings to us. Help us to remain faithful to your word by hiding it in our hearts that we will not sin against you. We desire to worship and to serve you only. We ask in Jesus name, amen.
