The Testing of the King: Part 2 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

  It is meaningful to observe that Jesus is the only one who knows the full force of temptation, in that He is the only one who never submitted or relinquished Himself to the temptation of Satan. To say that He knew the full intensity of temptation, is to acknowledge that for us who have been tempted and submitted, the ferocity of temptation ceases at the moment we submit to it.
  As an example, if a storm should sweep through a forest leaving in its wake many broken trees, we might ask, "which trees knew the full impact of the storm"? Clearly only the ones still standing know the full impact of what passed over them. Those that broke under the impact of that storm, did not experience from that point on, the full impact of the storm. Our King alone knows the full impact of temptation. He alone took everything Satan could throw at Him, and the King did not snap once.
  Jesus' triumph over Satan is a cornerstone for our triumph, for our victory, as followers of Jesus. We stand in unity with the King who has already defeated Satan, and we know Satan can be defeated in our lives as we unite with the power of Messiah Jesus.
  The temptation of Jesus and His triumph confirms God's approval of His atoning work on the cross. He did not die on the cross for His own sins, but for ours. The King was, is, and will always triumph.

Discussion:

1. After reading Matthew 4:1-11 discuss the following statements:
A. Testing comes to us at our points of power and ability urging us to use these elements for our own glory.
B. On occasion of spiritual blessing we are tested whether we will use these privileges for the will of God or for our own self interest.

2. The enemy attacked Jesus from three different angles:
A. To use His power for selfish material needs (v. 3,4).
B. To use His power for selfish social status (v. 5,7).
C. To use His power for selfish political power (v. 8-10).

3. The three attacks centered on the King's ultimate mission, to seek and save the lost. Discuss how each attack would have led Jesus away from God's plan.

4. Discuss Jesus' answer to each attack and the meaning for our lives.

5. Have you ever experienced v.11 in your life? Share this blessing.

6. This was not the end of the attacks of the enemy. Read Luke 4:13; Matthew 26:38-42.

7. Read these scriptures for Godly wisdom in regard to temptation. Luke 12:35-38; Luke 21:33-36; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter 4:7.

Discovery Section

  Before long we discover, as believers, that the nature of temptation is: 1) To make religion material by giving priority to man's material desires. 2) To make religion social by giving priority to the social dimensions of human life. 3) To make religion political by seeking to achieve goals by alignment with principalities and powers which influence the world.
  We also need to rediscover, as a believer, the essential need to hold belief and behavior together. To interface the ethical and the redemptive is our constant calling. In this world where the dominant religion is secularism we need Godly wisdom to appropriate the King's word within our lives. Above all else, we need to obey His word, and to fall in love with His word all over again.