Sunday's Lesson - Jesus in the Wilderness

Read Matthew 4:1–11. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, what were the three avenues of temptation through which Satan approached Him? How did Jesus refute those temptations, and what can we take away from this account for ourselves?

First we find Satan tempting Jesus to be self sufficient, then he wants to make Jesus presumptuous in His worship, then he wants Jesus to flat out worship him. Satan's plot to obtain worship is most clearly seen with the third temptation, but He is satisfied if we simply seek to provide for our own needs or act presumptuously in our relationship with God. Satan is satisfied because underneath these acts we are denying God's authority and exalting self as our God.

As Satan leaks to us his delusive power, we hunger for more until for some he unveils his guise and simply asks them to worship him so they can obtain all the power they ever wanted. Another interesting thing to note is that in the first two temptations Satan questions if Jesus is the Son of God. This assertion was in direct conflict the word that God had pronounced calling Him His Son.

Our identity in relation to God is often called into question by Satan. We are tempted to believe that if we were children of God then we would or would not do this or that. We must hold to the promise that we are his beloved children in whom God is well pleased.

In what areas of your life have you compromised what you know is right? How did you feel the first time you did it? Does it bother you less now than at first? Or does it not even bother you at all anymore?

Prayer: Father we pray that you will not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. Keep us from self sufficiency, and keep us from presumption in our religion. Father help us to trust completely in you for all our needs. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.