Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “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.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 3:13-4:11 NIV
The Baptism of Jesus
- By being baptized Jesus identified with us.
- His baptism clarified his identity.
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 NIV (See Psalm 2, Isaiah 42)
The Reality of Evil
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1NIV
- There is a real, intelligent, personal evil at work in the world.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV
- Jesus came to destroy the power of the devil.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8b NIV
The Connection to The Old Testament
- Jesus is the true Israel.
- Jesus is the true human.
The Tests
Test #1
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:3 NIV
- The tempter questioned Jesus’ identity.
- The tempter tried to undermine Jesus’ trust in the Father.
Response #1
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (See Deuteronomy 8:3)
Test #2
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “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.’” Matthew 4:5,6 NIV (See Psalm 91)
- The tempter twisted scripture and questioned the Father’s love for the Son.
Response #2
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7 NIV (See Deuteronomy 6:16, Exodus 17:1-7)
Test #3
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8,9 NIV
- The tempter offered Jesus power and authority in exchange for His worship.
Response #3
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! Matthew 4:10a (See Matthew 16:23)
For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10b (See Deuteronomy 6:13)
The Transformation
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2a NIV
- Recognize the lies of the tempter.
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 NIV
- Replace the lies with truth.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
- Remain in Jesus
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV