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
When I was in sixth grade, a friend asked me to climb a mango tree to pluck a ripe fruit she could not reach. Eager to help, I climbed without noticing that the branch beneath me was weak. In a moment, I fell, broke my arm, and learned a lesson that has followed me through life: not every invitation is worth accepting.
In Matthew 4:1–11, Jesus faces temptations that appeal to his real human needs—hunger, power, and identity. Satan offers what looks “good,” yet each offer hides destruction. Jesus responds with wisdom rooted in God’s Word, showing us that anything which satisfies the flesh for a moment but endangers the soul is not worth pursuing.
Lent invites us to pause, weigh our desires, and choose the path that leads to life rather than harm.
Prayer
Lord, give us wisdom to recognize false invitations, strength to resist fleeting cravings, and hearts anchored in your Word. Amen.
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