Matthew 4:1–11 is a foundation to illustrate how Jesus prepared for his mission through fasting and resisting temptation.
Context of Matthew 4:
- The passage follows Jesus’ baptism, where He identifies with humanity despite having no need for repentance.
- Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted, which demonstrates both His humanity and divine nature.
4 Lessons we learn about fasting:
- Obedience: Jesus’ immediate obedience to God’s direction, despite the harsh conditions, underscores the importance of responding promptly to God’s commands.
- Empty to Be Filled: Fasting, as demonstrated by Jesus, is not just abstaining from food but an intentional act to gain spiritual strength and perspective.
- The Sufficiency of the Word: Jesus relies on Scripture to resist temptation, highlighting the importance of using God’s Word as a defense against sin.
- Desperation vs. Preparation: Jesus’ example shows us not to fast out of desperation but to fast during preparation as well
