Journey with Jesus! Jesus is Tempted in the Desert
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus is now a grown man. Keep in mind that he has never sinned! Yes, that’s right! He always obeyed God and his parents. One day Jesus was hanging out with the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit) and the Holy Spirit led him to go for a walk in the desert. This walk lasted 40 days and 40 nights. That’s almost as long as summer vacation from school. It was one long walk! Did I mention that they forgot to bring snacks? Yes, that’s right. Jesus didn’t have any food for 40 days and 40 nights! Can you imagine how hungry he must have been?
After all this time in the desert, Satan came to tempt Jesus to sin. Jesus must have felt so weak having gone so long without food. The first thing Satan said to Jesus was, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
I think Jesus must have been having Bible study for those 40 days and 40 nights because he pulled out a Bible verse to resist Satan. Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man must not live only on bread. He must also live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” This is found in the Old Testament – Deuteronomy 8:3.
Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city. He had him stand on the highest point of the temple. I’m afraid of heights so I’m just going to tell the story from down here. Satan said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. It is written,
“ ‘The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you.
They will lift you up in their hands.
Then you won’t trip over a stone.’ ” (Psalm 91:11,12)
Whoa! Satan knows the Bible! But Jesus knows it better! Jesus answered him, “It is also written, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’ ” (Deuteronomy 6:16) SLAM! Jesus resisted again!
Finally, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain. What is it with the devil and heights? Yeesh! Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “If you bow down and worship me,” he said, “I will give you all this.”
And for his final blow, Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan! It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve.’ ” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
Then the devil left Jesus and angels came and took care of him. I hope they brought him a big burger!
Jesus was tempted under the hardest situation but didn’t sin! It was clear that Jesus found his strength from the truth in God’s word. And that’s exactly where we can find strength to always do the right thing too! That is why it is so important to read the Bible every day!
This is SATTAR, signing off. Catch you on the next Bible adventure with Jesus!
© 2018 My Faith Adventures
