The Gospel Of The Kingdom, 3:1-7:29
First narrative-discourse, 3:1-6:13
Narrative, 3:1-4:25
Preparation To Jesus’ Ministry, 3:1-4:16.
The Beginning Of Jesus’ Ministry, 3:13-4:12.
JESUS: HIS TEMPTATIONS IN THE WILDERNESS
Mat 4:1-11; Mar 1:12-13; Lu 4:1-13; (Lent 1)
Reading: 1Co 10:13; 1Pe 2:21; 1Jo 2:16.
Songs: Yield Not To Temptation
Theme: dealing with temptation successfully
INTRODUCTION
A.
B. Jesus faced temptation just as we do. He was tempted of the devil (Mat 4:1) and so are we (1Pe 5:7). Jesus was tempted in all areas or confronted with every type of temptation, just as it is with us (He 4:15). Our temptations come through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1Jo 2:15). Satan tried to use these some catagories of temptation against Jesus. Even though Jesus was tempted at his weakest point physically and emotionally, he successfully overcame all temptation. The weapon he used to overcome temptation was the same we have today - the s(pirit’s)word of the Spirit. Jesus was able to deflect the enemies blow each time it came, with the simple phrase “It is written.” However, it wasn’t simply wording the phrase from which Jesus drew strength, as though it was a magic talisman but the strength it provided him came from knowing what “It is written” meant and following with it in his life. So much of our struggles as Christians would come more easily if we knew what was written in God’s word and followed with it. If we truly knew God’s word and followed with it, we would effectively overcome temptation just as Jesus did. The same victory Jesus had can be ours every day. If we resist the devil and his temptation, he will flee us (Ja 4:7).
C. In his temptations Jesus was tested in obedience toward God’s word, trust of God and worship of him.
D. We can read in the Book of Hebrews that Jesus too was tempted (He 2:18) and because he went through his temptation successfully he is sympathetic, and can provide mercy and grace to help in time of need, He 4:14-16. Jesus went through a testing period just prior to the start of his public ministry (Lu 4:1-2). Jesus can understand our own temptations and reveals to us how we too can be more successful in overcoming temptation
I. THE FIRST TIME: LUST OF THE FLESH (GRATIFING), 4:1-4; Mar 1:12; Lu 4:1-14
A. ... Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, 4:1-2.
KJV-ASV
1 ¶ Then <5119> was Jesus <2424> led up <321> (5681) of <5259> the Spirit <4151> into <1519> the wilderness <2048> to be tempted <3985> (5683) of <5259> the devil <1228>.
2 And <2532> when he had fasted <3522> (5660) forty <5062> days <2250> and <2532> forty <5062> nights <3571>, he was afterward <5305> an [hungered ASV] hungred <3983> (5656).
Textus Receptus
1 tote <5119> {ADV} o <3588> {T-NSM} ihsouv <2424> {N-NSM} anhcyh <321> (5681) {V-API-3S} eiv <1519> {PREP} thn <3588> {T-ASF} erhmon <2048> {A-ASF} upo <5259> {PREP} tou <3588> {T-GSN} pneumatov <4151> {N-GSN} peirasyhnai <3985> (5683) {V-APN} upo <5259> {PREP} tou <3588> {T-GSM} diabolou <1228> {A-GSM}
2 kai <2532> {CONJ} nhsteusav <3522> (5660) {V-AAP-NSM} hmerav <2250> {N-APF} tessarakonta <5062> {N-NUI} kai <2532> {CONJ} nuktav <3571> {N-APF} tessarakonta <5062> {N-NUI} usteron <5305> {ADV} epeinasen <3983> (5656) {V-AAI-3S}
1. The passage tells us after 40 days and nights, that Jesus was hungry.
a. Is it possible to go so long without food and live?
(1) Moses, Ex 34:28; Deu 9:9, 18.
(2) Elijah, 1Ki 19:8.
b. It seems redundant to inform us of what should be so obvious.
c. Why did Matthew tell us Jesus was hungry?
2. It was in a physically weakened state that the devil went with his propositions to temp Jesus.
a. Jesus was confronted with having to make a choice under great stress.
b. In the flesh Jesus would have been every bit as hungry as any one else who had just fasted for 40 days and nights.
c. Under the stress of great need, the devil pressured Jesus as hard as possible and in his weakest point, as a target of opportunity.
d. Others were tempted over hunger and gave into it, cf. Ge 25:29-34; He 12:16.
B. live ... by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God , 4:3-4.
3 And <2532> when the tempter <3985> (5723) came <4334> (5631) [and said unto ASV] to him <846>, [If ASV] he said <2036> (5627), If <1487> thou be <1488> (5748) the Son <5207> of God <2316>, command <2036> (5628) that <2443> these <3778> stones <3037> [become ASV] be made <1096> (5638) [{1} ASV] bread <740>. [{1) Gr loaves} ASV]
4 But <1161> he answered <611> (5679) and said <2036> (5627), It is written <1125> (5769) , [{1} ASV] Man <444> shall <2198> <0> not <3756> live <2198> (5695) by <1909> bread <740> alone <3441> , but <235> by <1909> every <3956> word <4487> that proceedeth <1607> (5740) out of <1223> the mouth <4750> of God <2316>. [{1) De 8:3} ASV]
3 kai <2532> {CONJ} proselywn <4334> (5631) {V-2AAP-NSM} autw <846> {P-DSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} peirazwn <3985> (5723) {V-PAP-NSM} eipen <2036> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S} ei <1487> {COND} uiov <5207> {N-NSM} ei <1488> (5748) {V-PXI-2S} tou <3588> {T-GSM} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} eipe <2036> (5628) {V-2AAM-2S} ina <2443> {CONJ} oi <3588> {T-NPM} liyoi <3037> {N-NPM} outoi <3778> {D-NPM} artoi <740> {N-NPM} genwntai <1096> (5638) {V-2ADS-3P}
4 o <3588> {T-NSM} de <1161> {CONJ} apokriyeiv <611> (5679) {V-AOP-NSM} eipen <2036> (5627) {V-2AAI-3S} gegraptai <1125> (5769) {V-RPI-3S} ouk <3756> {PRT-N} ep <1909> {PREP} artw <740> {N-DSM} monw <3441> {A-DSM} zhsetai <2198> (5695) {V-FDI-3S} anyrwpov <444> {N-NSM} all <235> {CONJ} epi <1909> {PREP} panti <3956> {A-DSN} rhmati <4487> {N-DSN} ekporeuomenw <1607> (5740) {V-PNP-DSN} dia <1223> {PREP} stomatov <4750> {N-GSN} yeou <2316> {N-GSM}
1. From Luke’s account we understand that Jesus wasn’t just tempted after he faster but also though out his fasting, cp. Lu 4:1-2.
2. The temptation for Jesus was to turn stones into bread for food.
a. It seems harmless.
b. After all, Jesus was not being asked to take bread that belonged to another.
c. The problem posed with the temptation was that it encouraged Jesus to use his power for personal gain, to prove himself and to rely on his own power to provide for himself, to trivialize it, an ability that was intended for much higher purpose, and to subject it to the devil’s prompting.
3. Jesus rendered his life to the Father.
a. Any time we subordinate spiritual concerns to fleshly wants (or even needs), we do what Satan was tempting the Lord to do. It is just as wrong for us as it would have been for Jesus to indulge the "lust of the flesh" (1 Jn. 2:16) at the expense of spiritual priorities.
b. The words of the hymn, “Live for Jesus” point out who we’re to live for besides to ourselves, "Live for Jesus, O my brother, His disciple ever be; render not to any other, what alone the Lord's should be," Ro 12:1-2; 1Co. 6:20.
.
4. Jesus responded to the temptation by quoting Deu 8:3 in which Moses spoke of how God had led Israel into the wilderness for 40 years and used hunger to teach them complete obedience to God’s word, remain faithful to it, Deu 8:1-3, 18-19.
a. However, Israel panicked and acted in disbelieve, as though God would not provide for them, Ex 16:1-3.
(1) There is nothing wrong with wanting to satisfy one’s hunger and there is nothing wrong with a good meal, but Jesus knew that the most important thing was obedience to God, not to Satan’s temptations.
(2) Instead of making his desires his god, Jesus waited on the Father to provide and succeeded where others failed, Mat 6:25; Joh 6:27; Php 3:19; cp. Mat 7:9.
(3) Brethren, when we give into sin, it is because of our own disbelief that God will provide for our needs.
b. What enabled or helped Jesus to succeed?
(1) As the temptation began with Jesus, Satan became aware and we also as we read, of the power one has when one understands accurately God’s will from his word, and has before committed one’s self to following it, come what may.
(2) Complete reliance upon God, therefore belief, is critical in the fight against Satan and sin.
(3) The commitment to obeying God’s will was the driving force in Jesus’ life and what brought him success every step of the way, consider Ps 119:11.
c. The verse Jesus quoted was then about fifteen hundred years old, but he deemed it as reliable and relevant in his day as when it was originally written, and certainly it is still today.
d. Satan was crafty and didn’t give up easily.
II. THE SECOND TIME: THE PRIDE OF LIFE (AMBITION), Mat 4:5-7; Lu 4:5-8
A. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, 4:5-7.
5 Then <5119> the devil <1228> taketh <3880> <0> him <846> [into ASV] up <3880> (5719) into <1519> the holy <40> city <4172>, and <2532> [he set ASV] setteth <2476> (5719) him <846> on <1909> [the ASV] a [{1} ASV] pinnacle <4419> of the temple <2411>, [{1) Gr wing} ASV]
6 [and ASV] And <2532> saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, If <1487> thou [art ASV] be <1488> (5748) the Son <5207> of God <2316>, cast <906> (5628) thyself <4572> down <2736>: for <1063> it is written <1125> (5769), <3754> [{1} ASV] He shall give <1781> <0> his <846> angels <32> charge <1781> (5699) concerning <4012> thee <4675>: and <2532> [On ASV] in <1909> their hands <5495> they shall bear <142> <0> thee <4571> up <142> (5692), lest [haply thou ASV] at any time <3379> thou dash <4350> (5661) thy <4675> foot <4228> against <4314> a stone <3037>. [{1) Ps 91:11, 12} ASV}
7 Jesus <2424> said <5346> (5713) unto him <846>, [Again ASV] It is written <1125> (5769) again <3825> , [{1} ASV] Thou shalt <1598> <0> not <3756> [make trial of ASV] tempt <1598> (5692) the Lord <2962> thy <4675> God <2316>. {tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof} [{1) De 6:16} ASV]
5 tote <5119> {ADV} paralambanei <3880> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} auton <846> {P-ASM} o <3588> {T-NSM} diabolov <1228> {A-NSM} eiv <1519> {PREP} thn <3588> {T-ASF} agian <40> {A-ASF} polin <4172> {N-ASF} kai <2532> {CONJ} isthsin <2476> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} auton <846> {P-ASM} epi <1909> {PREP} to <3588> {T-ASN} pterugion <4419> {N-ASN} tou <3588> {T-GSN} ierou <2411> {N-GSN}
6 kai <2532> {CONJ} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} ei <1487> {COND} uiov <5207> {N-NSM} ei <1488> (5748) {V-PXI-2S} tou <3588> {T-GSM} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} bale <906> (5628) {V-2AAM-2S} seauton <4572> {F-3ASM} katw <2736> {PREP} gegraptai <1125> (5769) {V-RPI-3S} gar <1063> {CONJ} oti <3754> {CONJ} toiv <3588> {T-DPM} aggeloiv <32> {N-DPM} autou <846> {P-GSM} enteleitai <1781> (5699) {V-FNI-3S} peri <4012> {PREP} sou <4675> {P-2GS} kai <2532> {CONJ} epi <1909> {PREP} ceirwn <5495> {N-GPF} arousin <142> (5692) {V-FAI-3P} se <4571> {P-2AS} mhpote <3379> {ADV} proskoqhv <4350> (5661) {V-AAS-2S} prov <4314> {PREP} liyon <3037> {N-ASM} ton <3588> {T-ASM} poda <4228> {N-ASM} sou <4675> {P-2GS}
7 efh <5346> (5713) {V-IXI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} o <3588> {T-NSM} ihsouv <2424> {N-NSM} palin <3825> {ADV} gegraptai <1125> (5769) {V-RPI-3S} ouk <3756> {PRT-N} ekpeiraseiv <1598> (5692) {V-FAI-2S} kurion <2962> {N-ASM} ton <3588> {T-ASM} yeon <2316> {N-ASM} sou <4675> {P-2GS}
1. Satan was attempting to convince Jesus that leaping off a high building would be a great expression of trust in God to protect, but to think so would have really been a misunderstanding of what trust in God is.
a. At the same time he may have also been attempt to entice Jesus into pridefully considering himself worthy of such protection
b. In either case the idea was to test God through a lack of trust, a lack of certainty about God.
c. The testimony of history and God’s working with his people ensures us that God alone is worthy of our utmost trust, cp. He 11.
2. Jesus quoted Deu 6:16.
III. THE THIRD TIME: THE LUST OF THE EYE (REIGN WITH POWER), Mat 4:8-11; Mar 1:13; Lu 4:9-13.
A. ... Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only ..., 4:8-11.
8 Again <3825>, the devil <1228> taketh <3880> <0> him <846> up <3880> (5719) into <1519> an exceeding <3029> high <5308> mountain <3735>, and <2532> [showeth ASV] sheweth <1166> (5719) him <846> all <3956> the kingdoms <932> of the world <2889>, and <2532> the glory <1391> of them <846>;
9 [and ASV] And <2532> [said ASV] saith <3004> (5719) unto him <846>, All <3956> these things <5023> will I give <1325> (5692) thee <4671>, if <1437> thou wilt fall down <4098> (5631) and [{1} ASV] worship <4352> (5661) me <3427> . [{1) See marginal note on Mt 2:2} ASV]
10 Then <5119> saith <3004> (5719) Jesus <2424> unto him <846>, Get thee hence <5217> (5720) , Satan <4567>: for <1063> it is written <1125> (5769), [{1} ASV] Thou shalt worship <4352> (5692) the Lord <2962> thy <4675> God <2316>, and <2532> him <846> only <3441> shalt thou serve <3000> (5692). [{1) De 6:13} ASV]
11 Then <5119> the devil <1228> leaveth <863> (5719) him <846>, and <2532>, behold <2400> (5628), angels <32> came <4334> (5656) and <2532> ministered <1247> (5707) unto him <846>.
8 palin <3825> {ADV} paralambanei <3880> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} auton <846> {P-ASM} o <3588> {T-NSM} diabolov <1228> {A-NSM} eiv <1519> {PREP} orov <3735> {N-ASN} uqhlon <5308> {A-ASN} lian <3029> {ADV} kai <2532> {CONJ} deiknusin <1166> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} pasav <3956> {A-APF} tav <3588> {T-APF} basileiav <932> {N-APF} tou <3588> {T-GSM} kosmou <2889> {N-GSM} kai <2532> {CONJ} thn <3588> {T-ASF} doxan <1391> {N-ASF} autwn <846> {P-GPF}
9 kai <2532> {CONJ} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-3S} autw <846> {P-DSM} tauta <5023> {D-APN} panta <3956> {A-APN} soi <467