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Matthew 4 Devotional: Witness Jesus’ victory over temptation in the wilderness and the beginning of His Galilean ministry. Explore the calling of the first disciples and the power of the Word of God to overcome the enemy.
Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Matthew Chapter 4. Today, we follow Jesus from the glorious waters of baptism into the harsh isolation of the wilderness. It is here, in the place of hunger and testing, that the character of our Savior is proven. Let us learn from the One who stood firm so that we might find strength in our own moments of trial.
Matthew Chapter 4 Introduction:
Matthew Chapter 4 Introduction:
The Victory in the Wilderness and the Call to Follow
Matthew 4 reveals the spiritual warfare that stands at the threshold of Christ's ministry. Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil. Satan attacks His identity, His trust, and His ambition, yet Jesus remains sinless, answering every lie with the eternal truth of Scripture. Following this victory, Jesus begins to preach the Gospel and calls His first disciples—simple fishermen who leave everything to follow Him.
What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see the Final Authority of the Bible. As your Statement of Faith affirms, the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God and the final authority for all Christian faith and life. Jesus didn't rely on His own feelings or new revelations to defeat Satan; He relied on what was "written." He shows us that the Word of God is our primary weapon in spiritual battle. Furthermore, we see the "Urgency of the Call." When Jesus says, "Follow me," Peter, Andrew, James, and John respond immediately. Their obedience reminds us that salvation is a gift that moves us into a new life of service. Christ did not just come to save us from sin, but to call us into His mission of being "fishers of men."
Bible Verse
Bible Verse
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Jesus Begins to Preach
Jesus Begins to Preach
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16
the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus Heals the Sick
Jesus Heals the Sick
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Prayer
Prayer
Jesus told the tempter, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." As we turn to prayer, let us ask the Lord to feed our souls with His Truth today.
Prayer Theme: "Thy Word is Truth"
Prayer Theme: "Thy Word is Truth"
Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for the sinless life of Jesus Christ, who faced every temptation we face yet remained without spot or blemish. We believe that Your Word is without error and is our shield against the schemes of the enemy. Thank You for giving us the Scriptures as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Lord, I ask for the strength to stand firm when I am tested. When I am hungry, tired, or doubtful, remind me of Your promises. Help me to hide Your Word in my heart so that I might not sin against You. I hear Your call today to "Follow Me." Give me a heart of immediate obedience like the first disciples. Grant me the courage to leave behind the "nets" of my own security and distractions to follow You wherever You lead.
We pray for those in our community who are currently in a "wilderness" season, facing intense temptation or spiritual heavy-heartedness. May they find victory through the power of Your Spirit and the truth of Your Word. We lift up the global mission of the Church; make us effective "fishers of men" in a world that is drowning in confusion. We ask that the Gospel of the Kingdom would spread rapidly, bringing healing and hope to the sick and the brokenhearted. Amen.
Daily Application Question
Daily Application Question
Jesus used the phrase "It is written" to overcome temptation. Is there a specific Bible verse you can commit to memory today to help you face a challenge or temptation you are currently experiencing?
Frequently Asked Questions about Matthew 4
Frequently Asked Questions about Matthew 4
Why was Jesus tempted if He is God? While Jesus is fully God, He is also fully man. His temptation was real, proving His sinless nature and His ability to sympathize with our weaknesses as our High Priest.
What does "fishers of men" mean? It is a metaphor for the Great Commission. Just as fishermen gather fish into a net, disciples of Jesus are called to gather people into the Kingdom of God by sharing the Gospel.
What is the significance of the "forty days"? This number often represents a period of testing or preparation in the Bible, echoing the forty years Israel spent in the wilderness, but where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded.
Thank you for joining us for Matthew 4. May the Word of God be your strength and your song today as you follow the Savior. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we begin the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapter 5.
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