The Temptations of Jesus in the Desert and Their Meaning for Us

First Sunday of Lent

First Edition

Gospel Matthew 4:1–11 Jesus, the Conqueror of Temptations

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. When Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” But Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took Jesus into the holy city and set him on the battlement of the temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will give his angels a command, and they will bear you up in their hands, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left Jesus, and angels came to him and ministered to him. (Matthew 4:1–11 First Edition)

Background to the Temptation

The temptations of Jesus, which take place in the wilderness according to the fourth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, offer a valuable lesson for us today. These trials, in which Jesus overcomes three different temptations, are not just historical accounts. They reflect profound inner struggles that we can learn to overcome in our daily lives.

The temptations begin immediately after Jesus’ baptism, when He withdraws into the desert. This period was His time of preparation before His public ministry. In the desert, Jesus encounters isolation, and at the same time, it symbolizes the vulnerability of every human being. We do well to ask ourselves what temptations we face daily and what is the ‘desert’ into which we have strayed.

The First Temptation: Turn Stones into Bread

In His first temptation, Jesus is challenged to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3). It has to do with our basic needs, such as food and shelter. Jesus wisely answers: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). When we face difficulties, we often wonder where to turn for help. For example, about half of all people experience stress at work, and many may resort to unhealthy ways, such as overeating or excessive alcohol consumption. Jesus teaches us that we should first seek help from spiritual truths that give us peace and strength to overcome difficulties.

The Second Temptation: To Jump Off the Pinnacle of the Temple

In his second temptation, Jesus is taken to the pinnacle of the temple, where the devil tells him to jump off (Matthew 4:6). This involves testing the boundaries between faith and risk. Jesus responds: “Do not put the Lord to the test.” (Matthew 4:7). This is an important lesson for us. We must remember that faith does not require testing God’s promises. This lesson is especially relevant for young people, who may be tempted to test their limits. According to statistics, many young people experience mental health problems, and few find the right support. Jesus shows us that trusting in God's plan is more important than dangerously testing one's own limits.

The Third Temptation: Worship the Devil

In the final temptation, the devil offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world if He will worship him (Matt. 4:9). This temptation arouses the desires of a wavering person for worldly things, such as power and glory. Jesus’ response is powerful: “Get thee hence, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord thy God, and serve him only.’” (Matt. 4:10). This teaches us that true honor and power belong only to God. For example, in the business world, it might be recalled that many successful people have a higher ethical code that prevents them from putting profit above all other values.

The relevance of Jesus’ temptations today

Although Jesus’ temptations may seem extreme, they are universal. Each of us experiences temptations that reflect our own weaknesses. Jesus’ example provides tools with which we can overcome our own temptations. Prayer and the words of the Bible are powerful tools, but we also have to make a choice about what we believe and how we live. This can mean praying daily, seeking strength and support.

Prayer and Understanding Temptation

The meaning of the prayer “Lead us not into temptation” is important. This phrase can cause confusion that God would lead us into temptation. However, according to James 1:13, God tempts no one. Rather, prayer is a request for protection from temptations that arise from our own desires (James 1:14). In this way, we can learn to accept our own weaknesses and ask God for help.

Jesus’ temptations offer us an opportunity to learn to overcome our own weaknesses. By praying and following His example, we can overcome our temptations and find peace. Remember that you are not alone in your challenges; Jesus’ support is always available.

Jesus’ temptations in the desert remind us that each of us faces real challenges. Overcoming these temptations is not just an individual effort, but comes from a connection with God and Jesus, who is our example. When we struggle with our own temptations, we can turn to Jesus and learn that prayer and God’s Word are important tools for us. Although Jesus’ temptations seem overwhelming, we can find strength and inspiration within ourselves to overcome them. We are part of a larger story where we can grow and learn together on life’s journey. Amen!