Matthew 4:1-11
RTNT 2021. Today’s first verse struck me: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. These few words, “…was led by the Spirit … to be tempted…”. It’s always a challenge to think of Jesus’ humanity up against His deity. What did He leave behind to become man? What did He retain? I guess I’ve long believed that He had no special Godly powers, but that everything “miraculous” that He did, He did through the Holy Spirit working through Him. And that in His prayer time He spoke to the Father and the Spirit and they to Him, not unlike we are able to do. So I see Him separated from the Father and the Spirit and not privy to their conversations. With all that, today’s verse suggests that the Father and the Spirit thought it best that Jesus be tempted as a human – something of which Jesus was unaware until prompted in His prayer time. So He obeyed and we all benefit from that: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Thank you, Jesus.
See also: January 23 / Matthew 4:1-11
Well said, Fred.
I do not believe I would be able to last 40 days in prayer and to fast like Jesus did. I find it difficult to do so for a day!
I am struck anew by Jesus—an example of extremely perfect devotion and obedience.
I cannot read this passage (or the other Synoptic accounts of the temptation in the wilderness) without recalling being struck between the eyes a few years back by Jesus’ response to the first temptation. At His baptism, just before heading into the wilderness, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:16,17) It therefore seems to me that Jesus had every right to proclaim Himself to be the Son of God and to prove it by whatever means necessary. So when the devil tempts Him with “If you are the Son of God…” it would have been perfectly reasonable (in my mind) to say something along the lines of, “I certainly am the Son of God, as My Father just said, and I will indeed prove it to you.” But no. Jesus does not defend Himself as the Son of God. He does nothing to assert His Deity. He does not declare His position as the Second Person of the Trinity, as the Creator and King of the Universe. No. Instead, He quotes Deut. 8:3 saying “Man…” Did you catch that? He identifies Himself with us!! That is absolutely stunning, and, frankly, divine!
John, don’t I recall you making a similar comment regarding Jesus’ humanity when we had this reading two years ago? I recall your remarks were made “with passion”!
Indeed I did say much the same thing a couple of years ago, which you can read here. I actually checked for that before writing today’s comment, but I somehow managed to not see the prior comment when I looked, so who knows where I looked?! I guess that just means the idea bears repeating! 🙂 Truly, I do find the whole thing earthshaking in its implications. It is worth deeply meditating on for a good long while.
Excellent analysis, Fred and John. Jesus’ Humanity was first tempted to relieve His hunger after a 40 day fast. Then Satan tried to drive a wedge between Jesus’ Humanity and His Deity by suggesting a test of God. And finally, Satan offered the whole world to Jesus’ Humanity suggesting what more can God do for you than that? Our little temptations are nothing compared to what Jesus overcame, but they keep us in bondage anyway.
Good comments from all of you today…!!
I am struck with an observation of the exchange between Jesus and Satan. Satan keeps trying to tempt Jesus from the standpoint of self-centeredness, i.e., food, protection, personal wealth/possessions. Jesus wants none of it, instead focusing us on “centering” towards God. Self-centeredness is a very human trait, one I am familiar with. Probably why I picked up on it and probably why Satan tried the tactic on Jesus. This is a great lesson on recognition of our faults and where we really need to focus.
Excellent insight, Bruce!