Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 4:1-11 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 4Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Verse 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. Verse 3The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Verse 4But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Verse 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, Verse 6saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Verse 7Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Verse 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; Verse 9and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Verse 10Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Verse 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Devotion
As an Old Testament professor, I worry a lot about how Scripture is used, and particularly whether we deploy it for good or for harm. In this particular story, it strikes me that Jesus is using Scripture as a shield, and the devil is using Scripture as a weapon. In the face of overwhelming temptation, Jesus turns to the book of Deuteronomy to deflect the devil’s taunts. Rather than seeking to harm his enemy, Jesus turns to Scripture to summon his own strength, reminding himself why his victory is inevitable. As you embark on this year's Lenten journey, how might you use Scripture to shield yourself from sin rather than using it as a means to judge or hurt others? What word will you offer in the face of temptation? Jesus' final response to Satan is a helpful place to start. When confronted by anything that tries to command our loyalty over that of God, we can turn, like Jesus, to these words of the law: "You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him."
Prayer
God of promise, you have given us a great gift in your word. Help us to understand your word and to use it in ways that give honor and glory to your Name. Amen.