[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 4
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
“ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7)
“Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10)
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17)
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS (vs. 1-17)
Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. knowing he was hungry, the tempter came using the word of God 3 times to tempt Jesus:
- Satan challenged Jesus saying: “If you are the Son of God, tell the stones to become bread”. But Jesus answered” “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (v. 4)
- The devil took Jesus to the holy city at the highest point of the temple and tolds him: “If you are the Son of God, 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”(v. 6). Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test'” (v. 7)
- Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor saying: “all these, I will give you if you will bow down and worship men”. But Jesus said to him: “Away from me Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (vs. 8-10). Then the devil left Him and the angels came and attended Him.
JESUS BEGINS TO PREACH (vs. 12-17)
Knowing John the Baptist was in prison, Jesus left Nazareth and lived in Capernaum. He began to preach “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (v. 17).
THE CALLING OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES (vs. 18-21)
As Jesus was walking beside the sea of Galilee, he called His first disciples Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then He also called James, son of Zebedee and his brother John. All left their nets and followed him.
JESUS HEALS THE SICK (vs. 23-25)
Jesus’ ministry was preaching and healing. He healed all kinds of diseases including severe pain, demon-possessed, seizures, and paralytic. Large crowd from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the regions across the Jordan followed Him.
REFLECTION:
Jesus was tempted by Satan three times using the Word of God. But Jesus also used the Word of God to win over him. Beware of false teachers who will use Bible verses to convince people on their false teachings. Study His Word so that you can distinguish truth from lies.
Satan used three things to tempt us today: (1)-Lust of the Flesh (2)-Lust of the Eyes and (3)-Pride of Life (John 2:16). We should use God’s Word as our sword to fight against the evil schemes of Satan.
Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John were all fishermen. When Jesus called them, they immediately left their nets and followed Him. When Jesus calls you, are you willing to leave everything that you do and follow Him?
When people knew that Jesus was a healer, they came to Him. They followed Him because they wanted His service but not His salvation. They wanted the gifts but not the giver. Let us know how to appreciate the giver of blessings and not the only blessings.[:]