Xanthe Hancox

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be temptedby the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’  Matthew 4:1-3

Jesus performed many incredible miracles during his ministry, including multiplying food for thousands of people. So why didn’t he do something that would have helped to sustain him in the desert? Why not turn the stones into bread?

Instead, every time the devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy. "Man shall not live by bread alone” (Deuteronomy 8:3); "You shall not tempt the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 6:16); and "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve"—(Deuteronomy 6:13).

The similarities between the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness and the devil’s temptation of Jesus are significant. It means that God is now preparing to deliver his people — the new Israel — from the bondage of sin into the promised land of forgiveness and joy and eternal life. To do this he has sent Jesus who now stands as the head and representative of all people. On our behalf he is led by God into the wilderness for 40 days to represent 40 years. He will be tested as Israel was tested. And he will hunger as Israel hungered.

Jesus’s mission would not include giving in to temptation from the devil. Jesus refused to be manipulated to use his power to his own advantage, no matter how hungry he was. Instead, he was obedient in every way, showing us how to live by God’s will. And as he was tempted, he drew on his close relationship with the Father and leaned on the teachings of Scripture to live in obedience.

There may be times in our lives when we are tempted to use our personal advantage to serve our own interests, and sometimes it might even seem a harmless thing to do. But if doing so would involve dishonoring God, it would be a sin—and we know that.

Jesus demonstrates how to resist temptation. By dwelling in Scripture and listening to the Father’s voice, we can receive power to turn away from self-serving, self-destructive actions. We will be able to recognize the ways in which the devil twists the truth, and we will be able to resist temptation, following in Jesus’ steps.

Prayer: Lord, so often we are tempted. Fill us with your Spirit and help us to dwell in your Word so that we may be equipped with your truth. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.