Matthew 4
-Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, which was an initiation
into His public ministry of sorts, He is led up by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights with every
temptation (Luke 4:13). After this period of prayer and fasting He became
hungry and had to defend His righteousness against the attacks of the tempter.
He used Scripture from the Torah to combat the enemy and his evil schemes
designed to take Him down.
-*Application*
When Satan comes at us we have to resist him through the Word of God alone and
its proper interpretation. Don’t ever try to reason with him; he is crafty,
manipulative, and cunning. Instead, rely on what God’s truth has clearly said
and walk in His victory (Matthew 4:4,7,10, James 4:7). Don’t let Satan twist
the Scriptures on you in an effort to trick and trip you up. Have discernment,
study diligently, and call upon the Lord’s wisdom to avoid downfalls. We live
on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew
4:4).
-Satan tried to usurp authority by getting Him to bow down
and worship. In exchange he offered all the worldly kingdoms and their earthly
glory. Nothing compares to the Kingdom of God and His righteousness though
(Matthew 4:8-10).
-*Application* We
are part of His Kingdom and His glory is radiating through it all the time. It
far surpasses anything this world has to offer, so don’t get fool by the “shiny
things” (material possessions, power, etc.).
-How awesome it is to realize that after the temptation and
struggle the ministering angels were there (Matthew 4:11).
-*Application* We
also will be comforted after a time of trial and testing when we endure the
struggle through the Spirit’s power. Hang on brother and sister, we will come into
marvelous Light (1 Peter 2:9). Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord. Praise Your
Name, Jesus.
-Jesus goes in the power of the Holy Spirit back into
Galilee as John is taken into custody. He settled in Capernaum on the north
side of the Sea of Galilee. The news about Him is spreading and He gains
support in Galilee as those who had been in Jerusalem and saw His miracles
received Him as a man of God (probably not as the Messiah though). Matthew
describes how this too was a fulfillment from the prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2;
60:1-3). The Lord preaches throughout the Galilee, teaching in the synagogues
and everywhere He went, about the gospel of the Kingdom and imploring people to
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17).” He calls
fishermen to follow Him, namely Andrew, Peter, James, and John. These men left
everything behind and immediately followed Him (Matthew 4:12-25).
*Application* Jesus’ fame and notoriety became contagious in the
region of the Galilee. This was a low profile area compared to Judea and
allowed the Christ to develop His disciples unhindered from the controversy and
political turbulence of the area around Jerusalem. Christ was always led by the
Holy Spirit in whatever endeavor the Lord told Him to do. May we likewise be
obedient to His promptings and directions through the course of our lives.
Verse to Memorize:
Matthew 4:11
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