Matthew 4:1-17 click here for the reading
"Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights." Matthew 4:1-2
What is the difference between a test and being tested? Christians use the words interchangeably. Unfortunately often mistakenly. Any time that we are confronted with adversity or trouble, we might say "the Lord is testing me." This would be a mistake when we look at Jesus being tempted by Ha Satan - The adversary.
Jesus was taken into the wild by the Holy Spirit.....to prepare for the test. He does so by fasting and praying for 40 days and nights.
The Devil is the one who gives the test.
This story of Jesus' temptation has a resonance in the book of Job. (Shameless plug for upcoming Lenten Bible Study on the book of Job). Jesus endures 3 times, 1st- bread to feed his hungry stomach, 2nd to have angels catch him if he falls, 3rd - to give him the kingdoms of the whole world in exchange to worship the devil.
Jesus' faithfulness to the obedience of God in the midst of these trials, temptations, or tests gives us an idea of what God intends for us to experience 'God with us.' Jesus vulnerability in the testing helps us see God at work in the lives of all humanity. In the temptations of Jesus, God fully experiences the powers of the dark side to the extent of conquering over these temptations, trials and tests.
Jesus was a better test taker than mist of us.....thank God!
What is the difference between a test and being tested? Christians use the words interchangeably. Unfortunately often mistakenly. Any time that we are confronted with adversity or trouble, we might say "the Lord is testing me." This would be a mistake when we look at Jesus being tempted by Ha Satan - The adversary.
Jesus was taken into the wild by the Holy Spirit.....to prepare for the test. He does so by fasting and praying for 40 days and nights.
The Devil is the one who gives the test.
This story of Jesus' temptation has a resonance in the book of Job. (Shameless plug for upcoming Lenten Bible Study on the book of Job). Jesus endures 3 times, 1st- bread to feed his hungry stomach, 2nd to have angels catch him if he falls, 3rd - to give him the kingdoms of the whole world in exchange to worship the devil.
Jesus' faithfulness to the obedience of God in the midst of these trials, temptations, or tests gives us an idea of what God intends for us to experience 'God with us.' Jesus vulnerability in the testing helps us see God at work in the lives of all humanity. In the temptations of Jesus, God fully experiences the powers of the dark side to the extent of conquering over these temptations, trials and tests.
Jesus was a better test taker than mist of us.....thank God!
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