By: Kysa Schafer
The account of Jesus being tested in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11 is one of the most relatable Biblical texts to me, especially since I became a member of the child loss community.
In these verses, Jesus has been fasting for 40 days and nights in a barren desert. In His humanness, Jesus is vulnerable and physically weak. It is in this moment that the devil comes to tempt Jesus three times. Each time, Jesus resists temptation and puts his whole trust in the goodness of our Father God.
God knew that Jesus was without sin, and He knew that Jesus would not falter. Jesus didn’t need to be tested, but instead, he endured this testing so that he could relate to us when we are tested in times of great vulnerability and personal weakness.
Jesus gives us a model for how we should react when we are being tempted by the enemy. In this text, satan tempts Jesus with false promises and temporal fixes: food, physical deliverance, power and riches.
Jesus’s responses remind us of two things.
First, these temporary fixes are of relatively little value to us. What is truly valuable to us in suffering is God’s mercy and grace. His promises last forever. Only He can fill our cup. No amount of earthly satisfaction can compare.
Second, Jesus reminds us not to put God to the test. So often, I know I’m tempted to ask God to reach out and change my situation. “Heal my kiddo.” “Let this baby make it.” “Give me this. Give them that.” Now, it is absolutely ok to ask God for help, but I think it's important to carefully examine our motives. Because if I'm honest with myself, what I’m often doing is asking God to provide temporary relief to me as a show of His power and love for me and this convicts me. God already did the greatest thing of all: He gave His son Jesus to die on the cross to give me eternal life and restore me into right relationship with Him. I don’t need to test the God that has already saved my life in the most selfless, magnificent, and loving way imaginable. I couldn't possibly ask Him to give anything more precious than the very life of His perfect, sinless, all-powerful son, Jesus Christ.
We can also be encouraged by this text, because it isn’t saying that divinely-appointed relief won’t come this side of heaven. It absolutely will. Verses 10-11 read:
“Jesus said to him ‘Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
After Jesus resisted satan’s temptations, God sent angels to attend to Jesus. Many theologians believe the angels brought physical help in the form of nourishment. God sees us in our suffering, especially as we endure testing. He looks after us and sends both people and angels to care for us in the wake of our trials and tribulations. Though we may not always recognize that help when we receive it, believers can be confident that God is orchestrating the angels and our fellow humans at all times to provide for us and help us heal.
Father God, thank you for being a relatable, selfless, and humble God. Even though you owe me nothing, you still came down from heaven to walk amongst us in human flesh. You have felt the entire depth and breadth of human suffering. You gave up the most precious thing you had in order to save me. And you always see me and send me help in real time. Help me to remember your goodness, your sovereignty, and your power when I am suffering and when I am being tempted. May I always trust in you and remember that I never need you to do anything more to prove anything to me. I have infinite proof of your love, your grace, and your mercy when I look to the cross. Amen.
Dig Deeper
Reflection Questions:
Satan tempted Jesus with food, with his divinity, and with pride. In this season, how has the devil tried to tempt you?
Jesus responded to the devil's temptations with the truth of scripture. When you're able to recognize the devil's advances, how do you respond?
Put Your Faith In Action:
Defensive drivers and skilled fighters can anticipate the movements of their fellow drivers or opponents. Ask the Lord to give you discernment in anticipating the devil's advances so that you can fight prepared.
In the spirit of being prepared, we challenge you to put your faith in action and construct your game plan! Make a t-chart with common lies the devil uses to tempt you and then select corresponding scriptures of truth to slash down those lies!
Further Reading:
The temptation of Jesus as told in Luke 4
What similarities and differences do you notice?
Verse to Meditate On:
Matthew 4:10
Spend time reading this verse in a number of translations (i.e. NIV, NLT, ESV, AMP), writing it on your heart so it becomes second nature.
Kysa lives in Oregon with her husband Steven and her three children. She works part time as a Civil Engineer, but her greatest passion is serving her family as a wife and a mother. Kysa is also passionate about her role in the body - or family - of Christ. While navigating infertility and loss, Kysa discovered another calling on her life: to come together with families experiencing similar hardship and grief and pray for them in their darkest hours. This calling led Kysa to Praying Through Ministries, where she volunteers as a member of the Prayer Team and Writing Team. During her time with Praying Through Ministries, Kysa has come to believe even more in God’s presence and goodness as He has provided her with a community of support, belonging, grace, and hope in the midst of crisis and trauma. Her prayer for everyone who interacts with this ministry is that they feel God’s presence in their lives and know that they are not alone.
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