1.

Verse 1 indicates that Jesus was fully under the influence of (or led by) the Holy Spirit. Yet, verse 2 says that Jesus was “tempted” by the devil. Why do you think the Lord God put Jesus through the devil’s temptations? (Hebrews 4:15)

** It was to help us out through Jesus in two ways: 1) to have a right shepherd (or spiritual attorney, if you will) on our side, defending us, representing our interests before God (and before the devil who works to accuse us, finding faults with us to God); and 2) to set a perfect example for us to follow in dealing with the devil’s temptations. 

2.

Compare the “desert” or “forty days” in verse 2 with  the “desert” or “forty days” referred to in Numbers 14:32-34. What does this comparison indicate about the purpose of Jesus’ coming to the desert and meeting the challenges from the devil? 

** It was to undermine the foundation of the devil’s stronghold by coming to an environment which is a lot worse than the environment in which the Israelites were, and defeating the devil’s schemes, so that the devil would no longer hold a sway over the people Jesus came to identify himself with. 

Perhaps the desert Jesus was in is the desert the Israelites all collapsed for their unbelief in and disobedience to God’s word. 

There the Israelites were all well fed and yet failed to put trust in God and obey His word, but Jesus was hungry, and yet in absolute faith in God, obeyed God and overcame the devil’s temptation.

3.

Think about the devil’s temptation in verse 3 and Jesus’ answer in verse 4. What kind of temptation is this? How did Jesus overcome it? What can we learn from Jesus? 

** It is the temptation to live a cursed life, by first seeking the bread, rather than God’s kingdom. Before the Fall, Adam was to live for God, with God providing Adam with all that are necessary. Gen 1:29-30. But after the Fall, Adam lost this order, that is, he came to seek bread all by himself, only to turn to dust. Gen 3:17-19. This is what the devil is trying to accomplish on Jesus. 

** Jesus simply trusted in God’s word, and obeyed it. He applied God’s word to the given situation, and refused to disobey God (for turning stones to bread using his power to perform miracles would be abusing God’s power given to him.)

** Jesus’ example reminds us of Matthew 6:33. Read also Hebrews 2:14-18. 

4.

Compare what the devil said in verses 5-6 with Jesus’ answer in verse 8. Jesus did not dispute what the devil said in verse 6. Why? (cf. Revelation 11:15) 

** Jesus did not refute, because as Jesus obeys God’s will fully, Jesus would turn the devil’s kingdom(s) into God’s kingdom. 

5.

But Jesus rejected what the devil said in verse 7. What does this Jesus’ answer show us about the devil’s problem? What does the word “your” (in “your God”) tell us about the direction Jesus gave to the devil? Jesus’ answer in verse 8 came from Deuteronomy 6:13. Why do you think God commanded the Israelites to do this? (cf. James 1:17)

** The devil’s problem is his pride. In his pride he is in disobedience to God’s will, that is, to serve God for God’s glory. The devil wanted to be God himself. 

** The direction is for the devil to remember that God made the devil, so the devil is supposed to worship God, for it was the purpose for which he was created. 

[Note: Does this indicate that the devil is capable of repenting and being saved? The answer is no. Unlike us human beings with a body, the devil is a spiritual being with no body; so upon sinning, he has gone incorrigible. Jesus did not issue the direction to save the devil but to get the truth out.]

** God gave this command to truly bless them, for the Lord is the source of all blessings. 

6.

Think about the devil’s temptation described in verses 8-11 with Jesus’ answer in verse 12. How does the truth in verse 12 contrast with the truth in verse 8?

** They supplement each other, making his children to be sound in faith, in that the former teaches us that we need to worship God for it is the only way for us to be thoroughly blessed by God, whereas the latter teaches us that the fact that God is willing to bless us does not mean that we can abuse this principle, by continually demanding God to give us this or that.

7.

Consider the phrase “until an opportune time” in verse 13. What does this teach us about the reality we are in? 

** This passage reminds us of 1Pe 5:8, and prompts us to remain alert all the time. 

**

Write a Bible testimony on one thing you learned about the way Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations.