April 17, 2017: SOAP #2692: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Ps 59; Matthew 4

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he [Jesus] was hungry.  3 The tempter [satan] came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Observation:  Jesus was specifically targeted for temptation.  If temptation could bring Jesus to sin, he would have to die for his own sin and not be a sin offering for others.  The plan of God would be thwarted.

This was only the second temptation in the whole of history to someone who had no sin.  I wonder if the first one tempted fully understood the eternal consequences of sin.  There is no doubt that the Second One understood clearly.

Satan had thousands of years of practice in tempting men and women.  Surely, he put all his expertise to work as he interacted with Jesus.

Application:   The tempter with thousands of years of practice also comes to tempt me.  I am so thankful that the Master Overcomer lives inside me!  The only One with a one hundred percent history of resisting temptation is present to help me!!!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you not only paid for my sins, you sent the same Holy Spirit who was with Jesus, to live in me every day!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!