In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Normally when we think of the word tempted, it has negative overtones, because we associate it with causing us to sin (break us). However, in the Gospel of Matthew that is not the case, it has a positive tone associated with testing us (make us). The test Jesus was about to experience will show us, we have what we need to win in our wilderness experience.

Jesus enters into the wilderness and fasted forty days and is now hungry. This is when the devil pounced upon Jesus, because he thinks he’s too weak to resist the temptation. He attempts to have Jesus turn the stone to bread, but He resists and quotes Deuteronomy 8:3. Then Satan takes Jesus up to the pinnacle to encourage Him to jump by misquoting Psalm 91:11-12. But Jesus resists because He is the Word that was made flesh. Then Satan takes Him to a high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world, and told Jesus this can all be yours- if He worships Satan. Jesus tells him that He worships and serves only God. After trying to break Jesus with three attempts, Satan failed and leaves. Then God sent angels to wait on Jesus. Jesus showed us how to win in the wilderness.

When God directs us to our wilderness to be tempted, we come to realize we have everything we need inside of us to withstand Satan’s attacks. However, we would not have known that without going through our wilderness experience. The purpose is to build us up so that we will live our lives sharing the Gospel. Understanding everybody is not going to embrace it but that will not deter us from sharing it, because God has built us up. We are built up to be difference makers!

If you enjoy this blog, please make a donation by clicking the blue button above or click on GIVE on the menu above or on the sidebar to the left.