Matthew 4:1-11

When Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit after having fasted for forty days in the wilderness, the enemy came to tempt Him in three areas of life in three different venues. All the temptations required Jesus to take the right decisions that would please the Father and fulfill His will. Having heard God commend Jesus as His beloved Son during baptism, the devil came up with a challenge saying, ‘If you are the Son of God, turn the stones to bread’.

Jesus did not get carried away by satan’s challenges but refrained Himself from misusing the power of God to prove to him. The timing of this temptation was so perfect because Jesus was ravenously hungry after forty days without food and water. Jesus waited till His Father sent His angels to minister to His needs (V11).

In the second temptation, the tempter wanted Jesus to do something spectacular by throwing Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, to prove that God was with Him. Jesus eschewed from performing any cheap stunt, to prove His confidence in God.

The third temptation of satan was to suggest a shortcut for Jesus, to inherit the kingdoms of the world without having to go to the cross, by worshipping him.

In all these three temptations, Jesus never misused His power nor tried to convince the enemy of His trust in God or bow down to satan to fulfill His mission on earth.  

Thought for the day: Jesus conquered satan by taking the right decisions to fulfill God’s will in His life.