Down to Earth: Jesus Overcomes through prayer and scripture

Matthew 4:1-11 | Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”  Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

  • In what ways was Jesus tempted in this passage?

  • What are some temptations you face? How are they the same or different than the temptations Jesus faced during his life on Earth?

  • How did Jesus overcome the temptations he faced?

  • Look back on yesterday’s reading from while Jesus is in the Garden. What did Jesus do there when He was struggling?

  • How will you put these things into action yourself when you are tempted or struggling?