First, Jesus is tempted to solve his bread problem (1-4). Why did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the desert? As the second Adam, Jesus had to defeat the devil before beginning his ministry. The first temptation was on a physical level. Jesus was so hungry; the round desert rocks must have looked like small loaves of bread. But Jesus did not compromise. He said, 'It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.' Jesus did not follow the devil's suggestion to solve his bread problem first; rather, he lived by the Word of God. We must live by God's words as a matter of life and death. Second, Jesus is tempted with human glory and riches (5-8). Next, the devil tempted Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world on the condition that he bow down and worship the devil, just once. Jesus would not compromise; he again quoted Scripture. Man was made to worship God alone. Third, Jesus is tempted to take the easy way (9-13). This time the devil also used Scripture to tempt Jesus to throw himself down from the temple so that the angels would rescue him for all to see. It was a temptation to take an easier way. Jesus refused because this would be testing God's promise rather than trusting God.
Application: Lord Jesus, I praise you for defeating the devil's temptation. Help me to live by your word.
One Word: Live by God's word