http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrsa/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+4:1-11 (Matthew 4:1-11) I came across a poster a while back that said, “Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.” How true it is! From the beginning of human history, temptation has been a part of living in this world. We only need to look at Genesis chapter 3 to find temptation in God’s perfect world between the serpent and Adam and Eve. We see this scenario play out again and again throughout history and even in our own lives. Temptation. Someone once said, “To a greater or lesser degree, if you are alive then you are tempted.” I came across a funny story about temptation. A minister parked his car in a no parking spot and left a note on the car saying, “I circled around this area ten times and couldn’t find a parking place. I’m going to be late, and so I’m parking here. So, please, forgive us our trespasses.” When the minister returned to his car, he found a citation with a note saying, “I am a police officer. I have gone around this block every day for 10 years, and if I do not give you a ticket, I will lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.” ☺ The truth is, temptation can be a dangerous business. Giving into some temptations like breaking God’s commandments, attempting to run our own life without God’s help, or doubting God’s love for us can be dangerous to our spiritual, emotional and physical health. A while back, I was talking with an alcoholic friend of mine who had fallen off the sobriety wagon. When I asked him what happened, he said, “I tried to do it on my own power without God’s help. I stopped working the program.” I think of a man who came in to see me. He emotionally cheating on his wife and was almost ready to commit the physical act as well. In my counseling with him, it turns out he had left God out of the equation. He was on the verge of destroying his marriage and his family to feed his appetite. Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted. In the book of Hebrews, for instance, we find this reflection on that truth: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). We also see this truth in our text for today. It is near the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. He has just been baptized and affirmed by His heavenly Father – “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” He has been given an understanding of the purpose of His life and the means by which He was to carry it out. He was to be a suffering servant. Immediately following the thrill of His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness – not to the cities to do ministry – but to the wilderness! It is a hot, miserable, desolate place. Jesus was led there to be tempted by the devil. Sometimes the word “test” is used for tempt. Jesus was field-tested before He began His ministry of proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and eventually dying for the sins of the world at the cross. Satan tried to knock Jesus off His game plan in the wilderness. Jesus had fasted for forty days, which is quite a fast! He probably lost about forty pounds. He was weak physically, but strong spiritually as He learned to focus and depend upon God and God’s promise to take care of Him. The devil then approached Jesus, and the battle was on. It is interesting to note the temptations Satan threw in Jesus’ direction to get Him to quit following and trusting God. The first one seemed innocent enough: “If you are the Son of God, feed yourself by turning the stones to bread.” In other words, Satisfy your appetite with the power you have, Jesus. You don’t need God for that. Take care of yourself! Now remember, Jesus hadn’t eaten for forty days; He must have been starving. But Jesus refused. I’m trusting God’s Word. I’m trusting God to provide for Me. The next temptation was to gain popularity with the masses. You can...