After Jesus was baptized, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and for forty days
he was tempted by the devil.   Jesus fasted during those forty days.  That means he
didn't eat anything during that time, and of course, at the end of the time he was very
hungry.

Satan saw this as an opportunity to tempt him again.  He said to Jesus, "If you are
the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."  Jesus  answered, quoting
from the book of Deuteronomy; "It is written, ' Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'".

You will remember that when the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they
became hungry and God fed them with manna from heaven.  He showed them that
they were dependent upon him for all their needs.

Next the devil took Jesus  up on a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world in just a moment.  Then he told him that he had been given the authority
to give those kingdoms to anyone he wished.  Had he really been given that
authority?

Remember, the devil is a liar.  God rules in the kingdoms of men and
it is He who gives power to the people He wants to have that power.   Satan told
Jesus that if he would worship him, he would give him all those kingdoms.

Jesus replied, "Get behind Me, Satan!  For it is written, 'You shall worship the
Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Again Jesus is quoting from
the writings of Moses in Deuteronomy.

Satan tries a third time.  He brought Jesus to Jerusalem and took him up to the
highest part of the temple and told him to jump off. He said that  angels would come
and lift him up so that he wouldn't be hurt.

The devil even starts quoting scripture now. He quoted from Psalm 91 ,
"For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
(Satan left out the part about 'to keep you in all your ways'.)

Jesus answered him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your
God'."

Satan gave up and left him, but he would return later when he thought he had
an opportunity to get Jesus to sin.  Of course, we know that he never succeeded.

After Satan left, angels came and helped Jesus.  There were also other times in his life
that angels came to help him. Once when Jesus was talking about who was greatest
in the kingdom of heaven, he called a little child to him and told the people that they
must become as little children. He said, "I say to you that in heaven their angels always
see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

We are told by the writer of the book of Hebrews
that there are 'ministering angels' who are sent to help those who are saved.
What a comforting thought!

                                               Memory Verse

It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God."
                                                                  Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

Listen to this story about the Temptation of Jesus at:  //gardenofpraise.com/bibl38s.htm