Week 2: Jesus Begins His Ministry
Matthew 4:1-17, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-12
Jesus, our Lord, is fully God and fully man. As we walk each day facing temptations and challenges, so did He. Yet, He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
Over the course of 40 days and 40 nights (Mark 1:12), through exhaustion and a complete lack of food, Jesus faced temptation from Satan. What did He choose to do? He repeated a phrase that revealed what He depended on: “It is written” (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4).
Jesus continually relied on the authority of God’s Word. When Satan tempted Him with food, Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’” (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4). When Satan tempted Him with power and glory, Jesus declared, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve’” (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8). And when Satan tried to provoke Him to doubt and test the Father, Jesus responded, “It is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7; Luke 4:12).
Jesus was persistent and unwavering in His dedication to following God’s word. When you find yourself confronted with worldly temptations or accusations from the enemy, do you follow Jesus’ own example?
We must depend on God when we face the lies of the world and the enemy. Our own strength will fail us again and again, so we rely on the One who is unwavering and mighty. Satan has no power over God’s plans. God is faithful and provides us with the means to resist temptation. Let us hold tightly to His Word in Scripture and stand firm, just as Christ has done.
Satan’s suggestions of food, power, or doubting the Father could not convince Jesus to submit. Jesus showed obedience in the face of great physical and spiritual adversity. Our Savior did not take an easy exit by choosing sin. In the midst of lies that provided “solutions” to struggles of hunger or distrusting His father, Jesus resisted.
We must meditate on Scripture, to hide it in our hearts as Jesus did, so as not be swayed by myriads of vices that offer us temporary comfort. Satan wants you to be dissatisfied, to question God, to choose sin over God’s righteousness. But, as we recite God’s word, we are reminded of the goodness of God and directly combat the enemy's attacks. The clearer we see God’s character, the more we can remember the shallowness of sinful “comfort”.
As Christians, we should be ready to stand against sin, as temptations are inevitable. Scripture warns us that Satan is “a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8), but we have the power of the living God inside of us; He will protect us. Prepare to thwart Satan’s threats with God’s Word when these times strike. (Ephesians 6:17)
