#DailyDevotion If You’re Going To Quote Scripture Use The Gospel
Matthew 4:1–11 Then the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He didn’t eat anything for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of that time He was hungry. 3The tempter came to Him. “If You’re God’s Son,” he said to Him, “tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4“It is written,” Jesus answered,“ ‘A man doesn’t live on bread alone but on every Word that God speaks.’” 5Then the devil took Him into the Holy City and had Him stand on the edge of the temple. 6“If You’re God’s Son,” he told Him, “jump down. It is written: ‘He will order His angels to help you. They will carry you in their hands and never let you stub your foot against a stone.’” 7“It is also written,” Jesus answered him, “ ‘Don’t test the Lord your God.’” 8Then the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms in the world and their glory. 9“All this I’ll give You,” the devil told Him, “if You’ll bow down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus answered him, “Go away, Satan! It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11Then the devil left Him, and angels came and served Him.
Jesus had just been baptized. His Father gave witness to him when he was baptized in the Jordan that Jesus was his beloved son. Now truly was a witness to Jesus’ divine nature. But I think it was something as well. Jesus is reversing the path of Israel and fulfilling Israel’s role in God’s plan of salvation. We see this in chapter two as Matthew quotes this verse, “I called My Son from Egypt.” Israel had crossed the Red Sea and goes into the wilderness to be tested by God. Jesus crosses the Jordan to be tested by the devil. Both Israel and Jesus are God’s son.
Now one of the first things Israel did in the wilderness was grumbled against Moses and against the LORD because of their lack of food. Jesus after 40 days of fasting was hungry. What does the devil tempt Jesus with? Food. Will Jesus give into the temptation to prove his is God’s son or will he trust God? Well we see, Jesus quotes the scripture, “A man doesn’t live on bread alone but on every Word that God speaks.” Jesus does not fall into sin as Israel did. He overcame the temptation. Many times in the wilderness Israel was at a point, a problem, and ten times the LORD accuses them of testing him. (Num. 14:22; Ex. 14:11,12; Ex. 15:23, 16:2, 20, 27, 17:1, Num. 11:1, 4) The devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple to tempt him. He tempts Jesus to use the promise of Scripture that he would not be harmed being the Son of God if he jumps. Again Jesus overcomes the devil with Scripture of his own, “Don’t test the Lord your God.” We must be careful how we and others use Scripture. Is it being used as God intended? Does it fit the context. It takes a lot of chutzpah to tempt Jesus with Scripture. Israel worshiped the golden calves as the LORD in the wilderness. They also worshiped Baal of Peor. They did not trust in the LORD’s word. The devil tempts Jesus with short-circuiting the Father’s plan by offering Jesus the world if he worshiped him instead. Jesus also overcomes the temptation with scripture, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
Now you may try to overcome temptation with quoting the law that applies to it. That is a good use of the law but it has no power to over temptation for you. Paul says the gospel is the power of God for salvation. (Rom. 1:16) More importantly quote this gospel to your temptation, Jesus has overcome you for me. I am not your slave any longer. I belong to Jesus now.
Heavenly Father, when we are tempted empower us with the gospel of Jesus Christ so we may overcome our temptations and live lives which are pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.