Matthew - Week 8

Into the Wilderness 

READ 

Matthew 4:1-2 

1 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. 

The “wilderness” was an uninhabited place, and could either be a wooded or desert area. Jesus’ experience took place in a desert area. For 40 days and 40 nights he fasted and became “very hungry.” This caused the devil to think this was an opportunity to test Jesus at His time of weakness.  

REFLECT 

Have you noticed that tests affect you most at a time of weakness? 

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read Hebrews 4:14-16 to see that God understands every believer’s weakness and every believer can come boldly to the throne of grace to find help when it is needed.  

Tempted 

READ 

Matthew 4:3 

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.” 

Jesus was so hungry the devil thought he could tempt Jesus to turn stones into loaves of bread. The words, “If you are the Son of God,” in the Greek text indicates something that is assumed true. So it was as if the devil was saying, “Because (or since) you are the Son of God.” This could be assumed because of what the Father said of the Son at His baptism.  

REFLECT 

Think about the fact that the devil knows about the Father and the Son.  

RESPOND 

James 2:19 tells of demons believing there is one God and trembling. Even though the devil and his demons know about God, they do not trust in Jesus as Savior. It is not enough to know about God; it is necessary to trust Him for salvation. 

Not By Bread Alone 

READ 

Matthew 4:4 

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.’” 

Jesus set an example for His followers to know how to resist temptation—by quoting Scripture. At this time Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. This also reveals that Jesus believed in the Scriptures even if they are doubted by some. Of the first five books of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy is the most doubted by those who do not believe the Bible is totally inspired of God. Jesus had no doubts about it. 

REFLECT 

As Jesus was, are you convinced that the entire Bible is inspired by God? 

RESPOND 

Read Deuteronomy 8:1-5 to see the context surrounding the verse Jesus cited. Also read 2 Timothy 3:16 about the inspiration of the Bible.  

The Scriptures Say 

READ 

Matthew 4:5-7 

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.’” 

This passage reveals that the devil knows the Scriptures. In this temptation of Jesus the devil cites Psalm 91:11-12. Again, Jesus cites the Scripture in His response to the devil’s testing by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. Notice the word “test” in the verse Jesus cites. The word “tempt” is often used today to mean someone has a desire to do some act, as in “I am tempted to do something.” The word “tempt” in Matthew 4 is the word “test.” Jesus was fully God and fully man, so He had no desire to yield, but He could be tested. In answering the question, “Could Jesus have sinned,” the answer is “No.” 

REFLECT 

Think of something you have tested to prove it would work. This is the kind of testing Jesus was experiencing. Think also about the fact that just knowing the Scripture does not make one a believer, only trusting in Jesus for salvation does.  

RESPOND 

With a friend, read James 1:12-15. This passage reveals that even though God sends testing, it is never to tempt anyone to do wrong. 

Worship the Lord Only 

READ 

Matthew 4:8-11 

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. 

How could the devil offer Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world”? Jesus never said he could not; rather, He focused on who was the proper one to be worshiped. The devil knew the Scriptures and he knew about God, but he didn’t worship the Father or the Son. Again, Jesus cites a verse from Deuteronomy 6:13. Finally, the devil went away and angels ministered to Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Consider “worship” as thinking about the “worth” of God and what He has done for you. The more you know about the Scriptures the more your estimation of the worth of God will grow. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 to see Satan is referred to as the “god of this world.” It also reveals why some do not respond to the gospel message. You can use Jesus’ quote from Deuteronomy as an indication of His own deity. Read Hebrews 1:6 to see that Jesus is to be worshiped.