Matthew 4:1-4

This is more than just a dialogue between two individuals. This is the most stupendous moral contest of all time that was taking place here. A tremendous encounter between the epitome of good and the epitome of evil, and what was going to be decided here was the destiny of the whole world. Did you see what Satan's approach was? He was saying to Jesus Christ, "Solve the problem by making a miracle!" He was going to make, or try to make, Christ do it, while Christ was at a (he felt) very vulnerable point in time—vulnerable through His physical hunger. And his approach was to convince Christ that He really had no problem with that hunger. The solution was to just work a miracle. Without saying it, he was saying, "Christ, use Your powers selfishly. Work a miracle for Your own good."

Satan is subtly suggesting that the work of a miracle is the solution to personal problems, and also at the same time, the satisfaction of a physical need. He is suggesting—without actually saying it—he is implying that a miracle is nothing more than a capricious event. And that God will use it to merely satisfy some temporary human need.

The need indeed was present. Christ indeed was physically weak. But at the same time, He saw right through Satan's purpose and His reply is very interesting. He said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." The emphasis is on the word "every." And the reason is because, though the Bible does present God as a miracle-working God who delivers His people from their problems, it does not present a miracle-working God who works miracles on the demand of even His people. But rather, who works miracles that are consistent with His purpose and will.

Matthew 4:1-11

On Satan's temptation of Christ, the usual elements are present, including a subtle tempter who can quote Scripture to serve his purpose. In this back-and-forth encounter, the intended victim consistently thwarts the tempter, and the test ends with Satan slinking away in defeat. This had a positive ending because Jesus stayed close to God and always remembered God's sovereignty.

How can a sinless person be tempted? We cannot be drawn to an object unless the object seems desirable to us. Examine each temptation of Christ. In every instance, the appeal was a genuine call to a completely innocent instinct or desire.

In the first temptation it was to hunger. In the second it was to faith. In the third it was to power as a means of establishing righteousness. In each case, Jesus felt the tug and pull of His human instinct. And we know how insistent the hunger demand is on the Day of Atonement.

Christ had fasted for 40 days when this happened, and yet He was able to resist, having God's Spirit. But when Jesus understood that fulfilling these desires was wrong in those situations, He immediately declined the request. He demonstrated that He could overcome the tempter and resist temptation. It was not that He was physically not able to sin, but that He is so pure that He was not able to sin. Titus 1:15 says,