Read Matthew 4:1-11

Read Matthew 4:1-11

4  Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. ²After spending 40 days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. ³Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, order these stones to turn into bread.” ⁴But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’ ”

5 Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest point of the Temple, ⁶and said to him, “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says:

‘God will give orders to his angels about you;

they will hold you up with their hands,

so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’ ”

7 Jesus answered, “But the scripture also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

8 Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. ⁹“All this I will give you,” the Devil said, “if you kneel down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ”

11 Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.

Think

Jesus was tempted; just as we are.  But in the face of temptation he remembered the story of the scriptures.  The story that sets us free from slavery – the story that ends in God’s victory.

Pray

Lord, when I am tempted; remind me of the story you are telling through me.  Teach me to live that story – rather than the one the devil tries to tell.

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4  4.1: He 2:13; 4:15

⁴ 4.4: Dt 8:3

⁶ 4.6: Ps 91:11, 12

7  4.7: Dt 6:16

10  4.10: Dt 6:13