63rd Street Christian Congregation

Satan Tempts Jesus In The Desert
Satan Tempts Jesus in the Desert
by
Teresa Barrett

Read Matthew 4:1-11 - �Satan Tempts Jesus in the Desert�

Satan�s temptation focused on three crucial areas:
(1) Economics (2) Spiritual Power (3) Political Power
� � �As Malscom Muggeridge sees it (see the exact quote in Yancey�s book pp. 72-73), the Temptation concerned the question uppermost in the minds of Jesus� countrymen:

� � �What should the Messiah look like?

� � � �1. � A people�s Messiah: who could turn stones into bread to feed the multitudes?

� � � �2. � A Torah Messiah: standing tall at the lofty pinnacle of the temple?

� � � �3. � A king Messiah: ruling over not just Israel, but all the kingdoms of earth?

What kind of Messiah (God) are we, (people) looking for? Do you want a God who will fix social problems and relieve the suffering in our world? Or a God who unites all the churches and clarifies the one right way? Or a God who brings worldwide peace? Or maybe you�re more drawn to a God who will need all your needs? Or a God who will guarantee your health and safety? Or a God who will cause others to respect and acclaim you? Is there anything wrong in having these hopes or expectations of God?

What do Jesus� responses to Satan tell us about how we are to respond to temptation?

� � �In his book, Philip Yancey writes: � � � I want God to take a more active role in my personal history. I want quick and spectacular answers to my prayers, healing for my diseases, and protection and safety for my loved ones. I want a God without ambiguity, one to whom I can point for the sake of my doubting friends.
� � �When I think these thoughts, I recognize in myself a thin, hollow echo of the challenge that Satan hurled at Jesus two thousand years ago. God resists those temptations now as Jesus resisted them on earth, settling instead for a slower, gentler way. �

� � �Do you ever wish Jesus would �hurry up� his work in your life-for example, in your job, dating relationships, friendships, marriage, raising your children, volunteer work, and success in your church? What makes you spiritually impatient? What do you do with that impatience? Are you tempted to compromise Jesus� way to achieve what you want?