Matthew 4. The baptism of Jesus in the previous chapter was a very exciting commissioning ceremony of sorts, launching Jesus into a season ministry. We might have expected him to reach out and begin healing people, casting out demons, and delivering some good sermons – riding the momentum of having been approved and sent by the Father. That is not what happens.

Instead, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for a forty-day solo adventure in fasting and communing with God – and then he undergoes some serious temptations. This sequence of events always stands out to me. Maybe it has happened to you? You have a moment with God where He calls you to something, you obey, He affirms you, and then you expect life will be mostly a happily-ever-after journey of blessings. We don’t always expect saying yes to God in obedience to be followed up by temptation and hardship!

Jesus was tempted by the devil. Being tempted is not a sin, but our response to temptation can be sinful or not.

The three temptations of Jesus represent a struggle against fundamental human desires (1 John 2:16). The first temptation (stone to bread) is the call to use his power to meet his own physical needs. We all know that desires of the flesh and how they tempt us to self-indulgence! The second temptation (jumping from the temple) is a call to perform a spectacular miracle to force God to intervene. This is a temptation of pride and involves a desire for glory or recognition. The third temptation is to have all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worshipping the devil. This is a temptation for worldly power and control, and a call to circumvent the hard road of suffering that Jesus knows is ahead of him.

Jesus rejected all these temptations – quoting scripture along the way – and demonstrated his commitment to obeying God and the path marked out for him. He responded appropriately to temptation and was without sin (Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15). Note too that the angels came and cared for him after this exhausting season in the wilderness.

We are reminded of this promise: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) We will certainly face situations that are beyond our ability to handle, but God is faithful to help us out. Jesus personally knows what temptation is like, and he enables us to be overcomers in all situations.

Jesus then begins calling men to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” and to “Follow me” (4:17,19) His ministry begins with the preaching of the gospel and the healing of every disease and affliction among the people (4:23).

Jesus was and is still looking for people who are eager to walk with him in their identity as Christ-followers. The kingdom of heaven is at hand!