[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 4
“It is written: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 / Deuteronomy 8:3)
“It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to test” (Matthew 4:7 / Deuteronomy 6:16)
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:10 / Deuteronomy 6:13)
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS (vs. 1-11)
Jesus was in the desert fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Satan, knowing that Jesus was hungry came to tempt him saying: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread” (FLESH) (v. 3). Jesus answer: “It is written” “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (v. 4).
Then the devil took Him to the holy city at the highest point of the temple and said: “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” (PRIDE OF LIFE) (v. 6). Jesus answered him: “It is also written” “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (v. 7).
Again, devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms and splendor of the world (LUST OF THE EYE) saying: “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me” (v. 9). Jesus said to him: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written” “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (v. 190)
Then the devil left Him and the angels come and attended Him.
JESUS BEGINTO PREACH (vs. 12-17)
Jesus left Nazareth and went to Capernaum and 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, Peter and Andrew casting their nets. Jesus said to them: “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (v. 19). They left their nets at once and followed Him.
Then he saw James and his brother John with their father Zebedee preparing their nets. Jesus called them and they left their father and followed Him.
JESUS HEALS THE SICK (vs. 23-25)
Jesus went through Galilee teaching, preaching and healing all kinds of diseases. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him.
SUMMARY:
Satan tempted Jesus 3 times. In the first temptation, Satan use hunger as his weapon. He was suggesting that if God loves and cares for him, he would not let him be hungry. He wanted Jesus to use His divine power to satisfy His physical needs. Why didn’t Jesus do it? Is he capable of doing so? Of course, He can! But he refused because by doing so, he would be listening to the command of Satan. He would be using His divine power out of the will of God. Instead, he used God’s word to defeat him by saying: “Man does not live by bread alone but by God’s Word” (v. 4)
In the second temptation, Satan wanted Jesus to prove the promise of God’s protection. He was quoting Psalm 91:11-12. However, Satan misquoted God’s word by leaving out “in all your ways”. Jesus did not succumb to Satan’s trick because He knew that the promise of God’s protection must be in accordance to His ways.
In the third temptation, Satan tempted Him with the splendor and control of the world’s kingdom in an easy way. He tried to lure him away from the cross to get the glory instantly. But Jesus knew that cross must precede crown and sacrifice must precede glory. He used the sword of Spirit – God’s word to win over Satan.
Today, Satan also tempts us with three techniques: the lust of the flesh – immorality, the lust of the eyes – covetousness, and the pride of life – self- glorification. The only way to counter him is to use the Word of God. Therefore, it is important for us to keep God’s word in our hearts so that we can use it to defeat Satan and live a victorious life.
Jesus called the first 4 disciples – Andrew, Peter, James and John. They were all fishermen and all left their nets and followed Him immediately. How about you? Jesus is calling you now. Are you willing to follow Him? Do you want to be a fisher of men?
The mission of Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. As followers of Christ, we should also teach and preach. We may not be able to heal but we can pray for people who needs healing. We can show compassion to those who are sick by showing our love and concerns.[:]