Introduction
In Jesus' earthly ministry, one of the most amazing things that happened was before He was called as one of His disciples and before He preached His first sermon or performed His first public miracle.
Jesus was taken by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness, where He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and was then tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 4:1-2).
Why was the Son of God, the One who never sinned, fasting?
Was He looking to be more spiritual?
Was it necessary for Him to demonstrate Himself?
Or, was there a greater significance to the 40 days?
Jesus' fast had nothing to do with gaining God's favor (see Bible). It set Him up for His public ministry; it showed Him His perfect obedience; it showed that He could overcome the failures of mankind.
The Biblical Account
On Himself the Holy Spirit came down, and the Father said:
My Son, You are the One I love; I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17 KJV)
Then, immediately the Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness.
Matthew records:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil; and when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was an hungred. (Matthew 4:1–2)
The timing is crucial.
Jesus went into a period of solitude, fasting and testing prior to the start of His public ministry.
Why Forty Days?
The number 40 occurs in the Bible many times and is linked to a time of testing, preparation or transition. Scripture does not state that the number of forty is synonymous in all instances but there are events of significance that do follow the pattern of forty.
Examples include:
The forty days and forty nights of rain were the time of the Flood of Noah's ark (Genesis 7:12).
Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days receiving God's Law (Exodus 24:18).
Because of the unbelief of the Israelites, they wandered in the wilderness for an entire forty years (Numbers 14:33–34).
Elijah went for forty days to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
Jesus' forty days of fasting bring together these earlier events, and show Jesus as the faithful Son who succeeds where others did not.
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What was the reason Jesus fasted?
1. To be prepared for the public ministry of Him.
Jesus' ministry was to be unceasing teaching, miracles, opposition, and finally the cross.
The fast marked the beginning of that mission.
It showed it was entirely dependent on the Father before entering into public service.
God's greatest works are often preceded by preparation.
2. To be identified with Humanity
Jesus was human and He was God.
He was hungry, tired, sad and tempted.
Jesus fasted, and thus entered into the actual weakness of humanity.
But, He was totally obedient.
Hebrews is instructive that He was tempted in every way as we are, but without sin.
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3. To overcome Satan in where Satan failed:
The first Adam was in a garden of plenty.
But he disobeyed God.
Jesus was called the "last Adam," and after forty days eating nothing, he came to a lifeless wilderness.
Where Adam failed with much, Jesus was faithful with little.
His triumph started to undo the tragedy caused by man's first disobedience.
4. To Succeed Where Israel Failed
Israel was a people in the wilderness for forty years.
The nation grumbled, questioned, and revolted against God many times in those days.
After being tempted in the wilderness for a period of 40 days, Jesus was perfectly faithful.
He was tempted even, but when He was tempted, He trusted His Father altogether.
He fulfilled the calling that Israel had failed to accomplish.
5. To prove Perfect Obedience
The temptation in the wilderness could not have been just about eating.
It was a question of faith in the Father's will that Jesus would ask.
All the temptations pressed Him for power, provision, and glory outside of God's timing.
Jesus did not take any easy way.
His activity validated his perfect righteousness which He would bring in the future for the benefit of sinners.
The Three Temptations
There were three temptations Satan brought against Jesus after He had fasted.
Make bread with stones.Use stones to make bread.
Satan tempted Jesus to feed Himself by his own power rather than by the will of His Father.
Jesus answered:
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)
Jesus taught that the need for spiritual support from God outweighed the need for physical fulfillment.
Throw Yourself from the Temple
Satan quoted Scripture, urging Jesus to force a miraculous rescue.
Jesus answered:
"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:7)
Faith is placing trust in God even when it is not necessary for Him to prove Himself.
Worship Satan for the Kingdoms of the World
Satan gave worldly power, but not the cross.
Jesus refused.
He answered:
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10)
Jesus chose obedience over earthly glory.
Why didn't Jesus use His divine power?
Jesus was consistently absent of his miracles in order to avoid suffering in the temptation story.
Rather, He trusted in God's Word.
The answers were all from the book of Deuteronomy.
This is instructing us that the first weapon we must use as believers against temptation is the word of the scriptures.
Jesus did not take an alternative route around His mission, but he trusted and obeyed.
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God's Word has power.
Notice that Jesus never argues with Satan.
He simply declared,
"It is written."
Three temptations.
Three passages from Scripture.
Jesus demonstrated that the way to overcome temptation is to trust God's truth.
Lessons We Can Learn
1. Spiritual Preparation Matters
Prayer, reliance on God and careful planning can be important features of seasons of ministry and decision.
2. Temptation Is Not Sin
Jesus was truly tempted, yet He never sin.
The temptation doesn't show that someone has fallen.
It's what you do with the temptation that counts.
3.God's Word Is Our Defense
Jesus responded all the temptations with the scriptures.
The believer has been armed with the knowledge of God's Word to be able to discern and counter against lies.
4. Obedience is better than shortcuts.
Satan continually gave faster ways to power and fame.
Jesus was loyal to the Father's plan, despite the end being the cross.
5. God Builds Them Up
Tempted, Jesus ceased the temptation and angels came to minister to Him.
God left His Son not in the wilderness.
He bore Him through all its suffering.
Does This Mean Christians Must Fast for Forty Days?
No.
We have a record in the Bible with reference to Jesus' forty day fast, and it is a unique fast that relates to the start of His public ministry.
Scripture does call fasting to be a spiritual discipline, but it does not require all believers to fast for forty days.
Fasting should be done wisely and prayerfully, and taking into account health and situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
During the forty days, did Jesus drink water?
We learn from the Gospels that Jesus did not eat but it is not clear whether He drank water. The text doesn't really address this question.
What was Jesus tempted with right after He was baptized?
The temptation is described in the Gospels as another aspect of Jesus's mission. It showed His faithfulness and set Him up for His public service.
Was Jesus able to sin?
Over the centuries, Christians have had a variety of interpretations of this question. The clear teaching of Scripture, however, is that Jesus was truly tempted, and at no time broke the law.
Why is this event important?
The wilderness temptation brings out Jesus as the perfect obedient Son, who has full faith in the Father, who has given him a mission to do and who overcame the temptations of Satan and carried out the mission without compromise.
Reflection
Jesus went into the wilderness with not a morsel in his hand, no one else to stand beside him, and a ravenous enemy assaulting him.
But He rose to triumph, not with a display of strength, but by His perfect faith in His Father and perfect obedience to His Word.
His triumph is a joy to all believers.
The One who triumphed over temptation knows the weakness of man and can help those who believe in Him.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You gave us an example to follow in Jesus, who was faithful in the wilderness and placed his trust in You completely. Guide me by Your Word when I am tempted, help me to choose to obey instead of take the short cut, and help me to rely on You and not on myself. Help me to be faithful in following christ in all stages of life.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
