The Temptation of Jesus Matthew 4:1-11
Setting the stage Who is Jesus? (Mt. 3:13-17) God s Son Israel, God s Son Goes down to Egypt (Gen. 46-50) Called out of Egypt (Ex. 4:22-23) Exodus: Baptized in the Red Sea (Ex. 14-15, 1 Cor. 10:2) Tested in the wilderness for forty years Jesus, God s Son Goes down to Egypt (Mt. 2:13-15) Called out of Egypt (Mt. 2:19-23) Baptized in the Jordan (Mt. 3:13-17) Tempted in the wilderness for forty days
How did Israel do in the wilderness? Exodus 16:1-3: They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger. For the entire sordid history, see Psalm 106:6-33
The first temptation (Mt. 4:2-4) What is the devil tempting Jesus to do? What is Jesus response? Jesus quote: read Deut. 8:2-5 for the context Rather than use His power in self-service, Jesus lives completely by the Father s Word and will James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
The second temptation (Mt. 4:5-7) James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum What is the devil tempting Jesus to do? What does Satan add to the temptation? What is the problem with Satan s quotation? What is Jesus response? Jesus quote: Deut 6:16 Satan tempts Jesus to doubt whether God s power and purposes are guiding and protecting Him. The Son trusts perfectly.
The Third Temptation (Mt. 4:8-10) What is the devil tempting Jesus to do? What is Jesus response? Jesus quote: Deut 6:13 Satan tempts Jesus to worship and serve someone other than the Father. Jesus refuses. James Tissot,Brooklyn Museum
The Conclusion (Mt. 4:11) What happens? The devil is unable to drive a wedge between the Son and the Father or to redefine what it means to be God s Son The devil departs He is ministered to Will this be the last temptation? Mt. 16:23, 26:36-46, 27:40
Jesus temptation and us Primary: Jesus is Victor over Satan on behalf of the nation and ultimately on behalf of all people Application for the disciples of Jesus as we wage war against Satan and his temptations (Eph. 6:17) Picture of Jesus crushing Satan s head
Mt. 4:1-11 does not so much teach disciples that they should find the right Bible verse with which to combat temptations. Rather, as men and women in Christ, Jesus disciples of all ages can learn [from God s Word] to recognize Satan s temptations as attacks on their identity as the children of God, and on what it means to live out that identity in the world and in our vocations (Gibbs, 198).
A Mighty Fortress is our God 1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from ev'ry need That hath us now o'ertaken. The old evil foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal. 2 With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is. Of Sabaoth Lord, And there's none other God; He holds the field forever. 3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us. We tremble not, we fear no ill, They shall not overpow'r us. This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none, He's judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him. 4 The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it; He's by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit. And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife, Let these all be gone, Our vict'ry has been won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Jesus Prepares to Bring Light (Mt. 4:12-16) What has happened? (V. 12) John, God s voice in the desert, is in prison John s public ministry done Preview of things to come? Where is Jesus? the north Galilee (until 16:20) Expected location for the launching of God s end-time mission? Galilee Mixed population (Jew/Gentile) Better agricultural and fishing resources Southern Jews suspicious Country cousins with a distinct dialect even an impeccably Jewish Galilean in first century Jerusalem was not among his own people; he was as much a foreigner as a Texan in New York (France, 6). Why would Jesus choose Galilee?
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on [for] them a light has dawned. (Is. 9:1-2) Map of the tribal divisions of the land of Israel deleted for copyright purposes; see a study Bible or Bible atlas What is the larger context of this quote? See Is. 9:6-7
Jesus Ministry Begins (Mt. 4:17-22 Preaching and Call) 4:17 major transition to Jesus ministry Does Jesus message sound familiar? Jesus call to discipleship What is striking about the call of these four men? Who takes the initiative? Jesus! The reverse of typical Jewish rabbi-disciple relationships What is the call? Come after ME! (what authority!) What qualifies these men? What is their response? Immediately the fishermen left their boats, their nets, their fathers and their fathers house and followed Jesus
The call of the disciples What about this call is unique to these fishermen and what is similar to our call? Unique They physically follow Jesus around They will become his unique apostles, with a unique mission (ch. 10) Similar Jesus calls Jesus calls all to come after Him
Renunciation of All It is easy to find either too much or too little significance in this aspect of their response. Don t make too much of it! We know that the disciples don t completely abandon their former lives Jesus makes no one-size-fits-all rule or pattern of renunciation But don t make too little of it either! These disciples are given, through [Jesus] preaching and call, the beginning of the understanding that none of their old priorities and relationships will ever be the same or will ever again possess primary importance (Gibbs, 217). Jesus calls with complete authority as the One who brings the reign of God near.