(a) Narrate the story of the Temptations of Jesus, according to Matthew (b) In what two ways were the Temptations significant for Jesus in his ministry?

Answer Details

(a) The Temptations of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)

After his baptism, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

• First temptation (stones into bread): The tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Jesus answered, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3).
• Second temptation (the pinnacle of the temple): The devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will give his angels charge of you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." Jesus replied, "Again it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 6:16).
• Third temptation (the kingdoms of the world): The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, saying, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve" (Deuteronomy 6:13).

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.

(b) Two ways the Temptations were significant for Jesus in his ministry

• They defined the nature of his Messiahship: Jesus rejected the temptation to be a bread-giving, spectacular or political Messiah. He set out on the path of a suffering, obedient servant who would win people by truth and self-giving, not by miracles for show or by earthly power.
• They prepared and strengthened him for his mission: By overcoming Satan through obedience to the word of God, Jesus proved his loyalty to the Father, established his authority over the devil, and demonstrated the weapons (Scripture and complete trust in God) with which he would resist evil throughout his ministry, setting an example for his followers.