SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 4
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS (vs. 1-17)
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was hungry.
THE THREE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS:
- Satan knew that Jesus was very hungry. So he told Jesus to turn the stones into bread. (v. 3) God’s answered: “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (v. 4)
- Satan told Jesus to throw down from the highest temple in the holy city because if he is the Son of God, angels will lift him up and his foot will not be stricken against a stone. (v. 6). God answered ” It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (v. 7)
- Satan took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the Kingdom of the world and their splendor. Satan will give it to Jesus if he will bow down and worship Satan. (v.8) God answered: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” (v. 10)
Then the devil left him and the angels came to attend Him.
JESUS BEGINS TO PREACH (vs. 12-17)
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he left Nazareth and returned to Galilee and lived in Capernaum. Then he began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (v. 17)
THE CALLING OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES (vs. 18-22)
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew who were fishermen. They were casting a net into the lake. Then Jesus said: “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. At once, they left their nets and followed Jesus.
While on their way, they saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a fishing boat preparing their nets. When Jesus called them, they left their father and boat and followed them.
JESUS HEALS THE SICK (vs. 23-25)
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all people with various diseases such as demon-possessed, those having seizures and the paralyzed. Jesus healed them and a large crowd from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
THOUGHTS:
Jesus used the Word of God to overcome the temptations of the devil. We should keep the Word of God in our heart so that when temptations come, we will be able to resist them through His Word.
Jesus began his ministry by preaching the message of repentance. Next, he invited people to become his disciples so that the gospel will be known to all. Then he added healing because he had compassion to the needs of the people. When serving God, we must not focus only on preaching and teaching. We have to include discipleship and caring for the needy to make it complete.