This Wednesday we will wrap up any thoughts concerning the baptism of Christ in Matthew 3 and we will consider the temptation of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. To try and do any more than that this Wednesday would be to much. Jesus Christ's baptism and temptation go together. They are unique yet crucially connected and this bible study we will explore some of those connections. Here are some suggestions/thoughts/comments...
1) Read Deuteronomy 6-8. If you do nothing else, please read this portion of Scripture.
2) Did you notice who led him up into the wilderness? Does this strike you as odd? Is God leading his son Jesus into temptation? Who does the tempting here in this passage?
3) Why is he tempted in the wilderness? Why not in the city, or in a garden, etc? What is the significance of "wilderness" in biblical theology? See Numbers 20:5; Hosea 2:14-23
4) Jesus Christ fasted "forty days and forty nights." Is there any significance to this? Can you think of any other examples in Scripture of 40 days and nights?
5) Twice Satan says to Jesus Christ, "If you are the Son of God..." This is an important connection with God saying to his Son, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; cf Matthew 4:3, 6).
6) Consider 1 John 2:16, "...lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life..." in relation to the three temptations offered by Satan to Jesus, indeed, even to Adam and Eve.
7) In relation to the previous point, consider Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:18. Do these verses in connection with the temptation of Jesus comfort you?
Hopefully this will jump start you for this Wednesday.
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