Jesus is Tempted
This week’s passage: Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus is Tempted Throughout the Old Testament we see a pattern of God’s provision and humanity’s pride. When the people are oppressed or sick, they cry out to God who rescues them by conquering their enemies and healing their sickness. When the people are blessed, they forget it is by God’s hand and turn away from Him, causing Him to allow the oppression and sickness to return. The Pharisees chose to focus on this pattern, believing the Messiah to be a warrior who would come to annihilate the Romans who had been ruling over the Israelites. They missed the truth about who the Messiah really was, but we don’t have to make the same mistake! Desires of the Flesh After His baptism Jesus has been in the wilderness fasting and praying for 40 days and 40 nights when Satan shows up to tempt Him. You might see this event as something God did to Jesus causing Him to suffer, but James tells us that God does not ...