Matthew 4 (NRSV)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
To follow Christ is to reject the same temptations he did.
Here are some questions for reflection:
1. Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit. In what ways might God use wilderness experiences (hardship, isolation, and struggle) to help prepare us for spiritual growth. Have you seen God shape your faith during trials?
2. This message uses the lyrics of the song “Money, Power, and Respect” to talk about the three temptations of Jesus by the devil in Matthew 4. In what ways do you see others tempted by these attractions? In what ways do you see them in your own life?
3. Why do you think the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness instead of directly into ministry? What further insight might other Biblical stories that reflect a similar pattern (e.g. Moses, Elijah, the Israelites, John the Baptist) offer?
4. What might “consuming what is not fit for consumption” look like today? How do we recognize that warning for our own lives, and what do we do about it?
5. The temptation to demand protection from God for foolish acts seems like an obvious temptation, but yet we see people fall for this, over and over. Can you think of examples of how that has shown up in the world around us? Why do you think this happens?
6. What does the temptation/desire to “baptize our ambition” look like or mean to you? Is ambition always wrong?
7. At the peak of the largest temple in the holy city we see Satan attempt to have Jesus prove His credentials. Jesus’ simple and clear reply is not to test God. How might a focus on proving God’s credentials and authority obstruct our sharing of God’s actual message? What steps can we take to avoid this pitfall?
8. Jesus responded to temptation by actively quoting scripture and resisting temptation. How can we use scripture today to resist the temptations of materialism, selfishness, and power? How can we create communities that reflect Jesus’ example of humility, resistance, and trust in God’s provision?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
1. The Trinity is at work here in these verses where Jesus is led by the Spirit (who the text does not say left Jesus alone,) and Jesus then calls up on the word of God. During those difficult times of temptation when we’re weak, how might we call upon the Trinity to be with us, guide us, and protect us?
2. Like the demons cast into the pigs (Matthew 8:28–34, Mark 5:1–20, and Luke 8:26–39), Satan also recognizes Jesus and His authority immediately. What can we take from someone that knows of Jesus and the Bible so well being the agent of temptation? How does our knowledge of the stories and characters fall short of actually being known by Jesus?
3. The devil tempts Jesus with physical needs, power, and testing God. Which of these temptations do you find most relatable in your own life?
4. After being tempted, angels came to tend to Jesus. Similarly, how can the Church be a place of healing and restoration for those who have been battling injustice and enduring spiritual struggles?
5. Other writers have commented upon our temptations as enticements to our strengths by attacking us at our weaknesses. Think about that for a moment, and then explain how good impulses can be twisted into bad actions. What’s the key turning point?