Matthew 4:1-11

 Matthew 4.1-11

It is better to call this episode the “Testing of Christ” because ultimately it is the Spirit that led Jesus into the desert for the purpose of His testing using the enemy. Matthew is going to contrast the failure of Israel in the wilderness with the obedience of the Son.

In the first test Jesus is asked by the enemy to use His power to meet his own needs. After 40 days with no food Jesus is beginning to starve. The temptation is to look at His own needs and the incredible resources at His disposal. But Jesus will not take His eyes off the Father and be distracted from obedience to the Father? Not even by something so vital as bread.

The second test also reflects back to Israel’s failure in the wilderness. A consistent theme for Israel in the wilderness wanderings was, “Is God with us or not?” Constant worry over “is God with me” reflects a doubt about God’s faithfulness. The temptation is to take the focus off the Father and direct toward the circumstance. To create a crisis to force God’s intervention reverses the roles in which we are testing God to discover what is in His character and thus indicating serious doubt on our part. God’s faithfulness and character are so intertwined that to doubt one is to question the other.

The third test is the offer of a short cut. The enemy offers world-wide dominion without the cross. Jesus can have it all and do so without the agony. What great good could come from the loving magnanimous reign of Jesus as world king? All this good can be accomplished with one compromise in the process. There are two problems. First, it is an invitation for Jesus to focus on the needs of the world and not the will of the Father. Second, the process matters! There are no short cuts. To attempt to accomplish the right ends via the wrong means indicates that we are starting in the wrong place.

When Jesus had passed the last test the Father sent relief. We should not miss the point that what the Lord would not do for Himself the Father did for Him, when the time was right.

• Let nothing distract me from obeying the One who has called me.
• Living in faith and asking for God’s provision is appropriate; questioning His character by challenging His faithfulness is not.
• Achieving great things in the wrong way by the wrong means is still wrong.

“Lord, save me from the hour of testing, but if I must face testing let me always keep my focus on You, Amen”