Southern Jordan Desert
In the Wilderness - part two
Matthew 4:11
In the Wilderness: Outline
Temptation 1: verses 3,4
Temptation 2: verses 5-7
Temptation 3: verses 8-11
Temptation 1: 3The tempter came to him and said,"If you are the Son of God tell these stones to become bread. 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
3The tempter came to him and said: From sunrise to sunrise for forty days Jesus has not had food to nourish his body and now the tempter comes to him and makes the most unusual request, turning stones into bread.
If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread: Most biblical scholars are in agreement the tempter understood who Jesus Christ was, otherwise he would not have made such a difficult request. The devil was not saying, I am doubtful about who you are he was saying, "If/since", you are the Son of God.
4Jesus answered, It is written: Def. Gk; gegraptai - to write (verb). perfect tense; refers to a present cond-
ition which has resulted from a past action. For example: "For by grace you have been saved through faith."
have been saved, is a present condition, resulting from a past action, Jesus' death on the cross. It is used in John1:45, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, Jesus of Nazareth" - word occurs 67 times.
Man shall not live on bread alone: Def; Gk; artos - a loaf (noun), properly bread; figuratively, divine provision; It is used in John 6:51, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven." - This word occurs 10 times.
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God Def; Gk; rhe'ma, (noun, neuter), a word or saying; of a few words or many; it can be spiritual or prophetic. It is used in Romans 10:17 - "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word/rhe'ma of God." Jesus came well prepared to defend himself against the tempter with, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word/rhe'ma of God." Eph6:17. And so with confidence Jesus relies upon God's word and then waits for his Father to provide sustenance.
Temptation #2: 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6If you are the Son of God he said throw yourself down. For it is written, He will command his angels concerning you and they will lift you up in their hand so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 7Jesus answered him, It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test
5Then the devil took him: Def; Gk; paralambano, (verb), to take; I aggressively take with me. It is used in Matt17:1 "Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother upon a high mountain by themselves."
We are not told how Jesus was translated to the temple. The word "took", does not imply being forced. Bible scholars are divided on this issue, some believe this was a real event, some believe it happened in a vision.
to the holy city: Def; Gk; hagios, (adjective), set apart - properly; holy and different from the world because it is special to the Lord. ie; The temple in Jerusalem would be hagios. It is used in 1Cor3:17 "For the temple of God is holy/hagios and that is what you are." - holy and set apart - the only holy city that Jesus could have been taken to would be Jerusalem. This word occurs 13 times
and had him stand on the highest point of the temple: Def; Gk; pterugion, (noun-neuter), the pinnacle of any pointed extremity; a little wing; of the fins of a fish. Some understand this to be the apex or top of the temple. The height of where Jesus was standing I am told was about 450ft high, just looking down at this height would make most people dizzy.
6If you are the Son of God, he said, throw yourself down: What is the purpose of this temptation? Devoted scholars understand that the bible does not specify at what time this temptation took place. However, it is probable that this temptation took place at a busy time around the temple area so that many people would have seen this miracle happen. If the tempter can convince Jesus to throw himself down all of the people
who witnessed this miracle would worship Jesus and then he would not need to die on the cross.
"For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Point: Quoting scripture is a failed attempt by the devil to cause Jesus to sin against God and a failed attempt to stop God's plan of salvation. More over, this is proof that the devil can quote scripture but he does not understand its true meaning nor its application, but Jesus does!7Jesus answered him, It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Def; Gk; ekpeirazo'(verb), put to the test; to test thoroughly by irreligion and immorality to test the patients of Christ. It is used in 1Cor
10:9 "We should not test Christ as some of them did - and were killed by snakes." I believe that prudence and wisdom walk hand in hand and that presumption is the friend of a fool. If you live a prudent life you will not put the Lord your God to the test."
Temptation #3: 8Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Conclusion: Jesus is our, Great high priest. He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. He can sympathize with our own weakness and battles with temptations, the world and the flesh Hebrews4:14,15
Application: Know the word of God by reading the bible every day. And then applying those lessons God is teaching you to your everyday life experience. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew11:29
A Bible study by: Glenn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greek definitions: Strong's concordance/scripturetext.com
Please leave A Reply
No comments:
Post a Comment