THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. (a) Describe the temptation of Jesus as recorded in the gospel of Matthew. (b) In what three ...

(a) The temptation of Jesus as recorded in Matthew (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 afterward was hungry. Then the tempter came to Him with three temptations:

1. Turning stones to bread: The devil 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."
2. Casting Himself from the temple: The devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, urging Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture that the angels would bear Him up. Jesus replied, "Again it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
3. The offer of the kingdoms of the world: The devil took Him to a very high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and offered them all if Jesus would fall down and worship him. Jesus said, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."

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

(b) Three ways the temptations were significant to Jesus in His ministry

1. They defined the nature of His messiahship: Jesus rejected the way of material provision, spectacular signs and political power, choosing instead the path of humble obedience and the cross.
2. They prepared and strengthened Him for His mission: Overcoming Satan at the outset proved His loyalty to God and equipped Him to resist temptation and complete His work faithfully.
3. They set an example for His followers: By defeating temptation with the word of God, Jesus showed believers how to overcome the devil, and He became a sympathetic High Priest who understands human temptation.