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TEMPTING THE LORD Matthew 4: 1-11 As we look at Matthew 4:1-11, we need to ask ourselves, where in our lives are we being tempted by Satan? Where are we not making room for Jesus? In this passage, Jesus is tempted by Satan three times. (Tempted means to try or to make proof of; it also means to entice, solicit; to provoke to sin (Strongs # 3985)). Each time Jesus responds by standing firmly on the Word of God. The first temptation, vs. 3, Satan tempts Jesus by telling Him that “If you are the Son of God command that these stones become bread.” How did Jesus respond? He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, “It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” It’s not that Jesus couldn’t turn the stones to bread; He knew that it wasn’t in God’s will for Him to do so. It was Jesus’ responsibility, as it is ours, to trust fully in God and to remain in His will. The second temptation, vss. 5-6, Satan tells Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Satan is trying to quote the promise of protection (Psalm 91:11-12) to Jesus, but leaves out the very important words, “to keep you in all your ways.” How does Jesus respond this time? The same way—by standing on God’s word. He tells Satan, by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” How often in our daily lives do we tempt Jesus by saying, “what can you do for me today?” It is not to be what can Jesus do for us, but what does Jesus have in His will for us? We are not to tempt the Lord—we are to be in His will fully, daily. In the third temptation, vss. 8-9, Satan takes Jesus to the top of a high mountain, and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world. He then tells Jesus, “All these things I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” By now, Satan is frustrated because Jesus will not give in to his temptations (and neither should we); so, he throws one more at Jesus, thinking he can lure Jesus with one more great temptation. If Jesus had given in, where would we be today? Instead, Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 saying, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” Jesus rebuked Satan for asking Him to worship Satan. Satan wanted Jesus to worship him instead of the One true God. By doing so, Satan was offering Jesus a crown without the cross. Because Jesus resisted Satan by using the Word of God, Satan was ultimately defeated. Again, the question must be asked, “Where in our daily walk do we tempt the Lord?” Have we given Him every room in our lives, or do we say He can only have so much? Stand firmly on His Word, for He is the One true God—Trust in Him fully, and remain in His will. Have a Blessed Christmas! ~ Melody Krauser
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