Jesus is Tempted & the 7 Layered Salad
June 25, 2008
Jesus is Tempted
Matthew 4:1-11
Passage (NIV)
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Summary
- Jesus fasted 40 days & 40 nights
- Just imagine how hungry He was
- “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” v. 4
- Satan came and tempted Jesus with food & worldly possessions
- “Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him” v. 10
Questions to consider
- How do I handle temptation?
- Do I withhold from sin/temptation or cave in?
- How should I handle temptation?
Characteristics to imitate (I like to call this the 7-Layer Salad, I happened to be looking at a half eaten salad when doing this study)
- Jesus didn’t let His physical body deter Him from His spiritual condition
- Jesus didn’t let worldly desires jeopardize His spiritual condition
- Jesus didn’t forego His values & beliefs for immediate gratification
- Jesus consistently withheld from the temptation—He was as strong the first time tempted to the last
- Jesus used & quoted scripture to fight off temptation—He fought with the Sword (the Holy Word)
- Jesus was prepared before hand to fight temptation battles
- Jesus was in control of the situation from start to finish
Questions to consider
Do I resemble these characteristics when faced with temptation?
What do I need to do to be prepared for temptation?
How will I stay in control of temptation?
Today’s Application
- Continuously study & memorize scripture to be prepared to fight the battle of evil desires & temptation
- Mimic Jesus’ characteristics in this passage (the 7-Layered Salad above)
