After Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness. There He prayed and fasted, preparing Himself for the difficult times that lay ahead. As He thought about the sins of the world, He was filled with sorrow and pain.
Satan appeared to Jesus, looking like an angel of light and pretending to be a messenger from Heaven. Seeing that Jesus was very hungry, Satan said to Him, “‘If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread’” (Matthew 4:3, ICB).
Because Jesus had come to live as we live, He had to endure suffering as we have to endure it. His miracles were to be used to help others, not Himself. To Satan’s demand, Jesus replied, “‘It is written in the Scriptures, “A person does not live only by eating bread. But a person lives by everything the Lord says”’” (Matthew 4:4, ICB). In other words, Jesus was saying that it is more important to obey the word of God than to worry about food.
Having failed to overcome Jesus in the first temptation, Satan took Him to the highest point on the temple in Jerusalem. The devil said to Him, “‘If you are the Son of God, jump off. It is written in the Scriptures, “He has put his angels in charge of you. They will catch you with their hands. And you will not hit your foot on a rock”’” (Matthew 4:6, ICB).
Jesus replied, “‘It also says in the Scriptures, “Do not test the Lord your God”’” (Matthew 4:7, ICB). In other words, trusting that God will take care of us does not mean going where He does not send us or doing what He has forbidden.
Satan changed back into his true self as the prince of the powers of darkness. He took Jesus to the top of a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. Then Satan said, “‘If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things’” (Mathew 4:9, ICB).
Satan also offers us the world and its riches if we follow him. He tries to tell us, “Don’t worry about being truthful and honest. It’s not important. If you obey me, I will give you riches, honor, and happiness beyond your wildest dreams!” But if we choose to follow Satan instead of God, it will bring only misery and ruin.
For a moment Jesus looked upon the scene. Then He turned away and said to Satan, “‘Go away from me, Satan! It is written in the Scriptures, “You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!”’” (Matthew 4:10, ICB).
The tempter could not resist the command. Twisting and writhing with rage, Satan left the presence of the world’s Redeemer. Jesus had complete victory over the devil, unlike Adam who had failed to resist temptation.
Jesus showed us by His example how to overcome Satan’s deceptions. The Lord says to us, “‘So obey God. Stand up to the devil. He will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you’” (James 4:7, 8, NIrV).