Session 5: Jesus is tested

Matthew 4

After Jesus was baptised, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be put to the test. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, before the devil appeared and tempted him. Read Matthew 4 and/or watch the following video:

Video: The Temptation of Jesus

Source: Saddleback kids on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc-x4qKY6Wc

Discuss:

What does the number 40 mean? Do you remember where else we've seen it in the bible?

The number 40 in the bible usually refers to a time of trial and testing. Examples of other instances in the Bible when 40 was mentioned:

- Moses, Elijah and Jesus have all fasted in the desert for 40 days

- The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after leaving Egypt, before entering the promised land

- God flooded the earth for 40 days after Noah built the ark

Can you think of more examples?

What are the 3 temptations which the devil puts before Jesus?

1st temptation: To fulfill his physical needs/wants – Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days, and the devil asked him to turn stones into bread

2nd temptation: To prove that he is the Son of God, and that God would save him - Satan asks Jesus to jump down from the highest point, and rely on the angels to save him

3rd temptation: Power and wealth - Satan asks Jesus to worship him, in return for all the kingdoms and their splendor

Devil is very clever! He plays to our physical needs and worldly attachments. He can even cite Scripture to convince us, and put questions and doubts in our minds.

How does Jesus resist?

Jesus puts God first. He knows scripture well and uses it to rebut Satan. He responds to the 3 temptations by quoting Scripture in response:

1st temptation: It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God

2nd temptation: It is written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test

3rd temptation: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only

We have all been tempted! Even Jesus. It is how we respond to temptation that matters. What temptations do we face?

When we are tempted, what can we do?

Jesus turned to Scripture to help him resist Satan. You can I can do that too! We can

1) Read the bible regularly, and remember what the bible says

2) Pray to Jesus for help to resist the temptation.

Jesus knows what it's like to be tempted - he knows what it feels like to be hungry, tired, etc. Jesus faced temptation but he did not sin. He knows that we need God more than anything else in the world because it is God himself who sustains us. Knowing this truth helped Jesus resist temptation. And we can ask for his help to resist temptation too.