https://app.dropwave.io/episode/41604e27-8883-4f44-a690-8f19efdecaf7/invocavit-first-sunday-in-lent-lent-1-ad-2026.mp3

Matthew 4:1-11

Introduction

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19).

Immediately following the Baptism of Jesus, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Now, this is a very familiar text to all of us. It is the text that begins the first Sunday in Lent. In the same way that Jesus fasts for 40 days, we began our fast on Ash Wednesday. Similarly, the people of Nineveh were given 40 days to repent and turn back to God. They also fasted for 40 days wearing sackcloth and ashes in their penitence. Likewise, we too begin a 40 day fast in preparation for the feast of Easter.

Before we go much further, we need to stop and look at this word, “tempted.” When we think of this word it carries a certain connotation. For example, when I am tempted to eat the last piece of chocolate cake there is an inner dialog that takes place. I know that the chocolate cake isn’t good for me, but at the same time I know that it would taste good. I also consider if that piece of cake was set aside for someone else. I wonder as well if I am craving that cake for some emotional reason. During Lent, I may also think about the promise I made to myself to fast from cake. I may also think about the promise I made to my doctor or others to watch my diet. All these things may go through my head before I ultimately decide to ignore all of that and devour that chocolate cake with a cold glass of milk.

Regardless of the object of your temptation, something similar happens to all of us. However, I don’t think Jesus went through the same mental and emotional gymnastics. The Greek word carries with it the idea of “testing.” It is used when you are trying to trap someone with their words. Politicians, reporters, and others use this tactic all the time. They frame their questions in such a way as to get you to admit to something.

Also consider Jesus’s words a little later in Matthew. He tells us that when we look at a woman with lust in our hearts, we have already committed adultery. When we look at someone with hatred in our hearts, we have already committed murder. Sin doesn’t occur only after you physically act. It begins in the heart. According to the Law, my fast ended as soon as my heart desired that piece of cake. As Jesus is without sin and since the scriptures make no mention of it, I don’t think Jesus had this same sort of internal struggle when He was tested by the devil.

Law

What we see in the wilderness is a reversal of the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam an Eve were surrounded by abundance. They had everything they could possibly want. They were surrounded by food of every sort. They had perfect communion with God the Father. They didn’t even have to bother with laundry. Everything they needed or wanted was within arm’s reach. There was just one tree that was forbidden. There was just one fruit that was off limits. Everything else was freely available and accessible to them. Yet, the devil was able to deceive them.

Notice that the devil starts with the same test. He begins with the belly. Whereas he tempted Adam and Eve in their abundance, he tempted Jesus in want. He made the false assumption that Jesus would be at His weakest after fasting for 40 days. We make the same assumption. Fasting will make me weak and vulnerable. But nothing is further from the truth. Fasting exposes the lie. Our body, mind and spirit tell us that we will die if we don’t get that piece of chocolate cake. Fasting reveals the lie. The addict believes they will die without their drug of choice. Whatever that addiction is, fasting reveals the lie. If we have any notion of self-righteousness, fasting quickly reveals that lie as well. If we can’t fast from cake for 40 days, how can we possibly keep any portion of the Law?

Notice the answer that Jesus gives to the deceiver. His words have a double meaning: “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” The devil knows who Jesus is. He knows that He is the Son of God. He even knows that Jesus is God Himself. Jesus does not need to turn stones into bread. He himself is the bread of life. He knows that He will not die without bread. He knows that His Father will provide all that He needs for body and life. Adam and Eve ate in the Garden bringing death to mankind. Jesus refuses to eat bringing life and salvation.

The devil tries again. If he can get Jesus to throw Himself off the temple killing Himself, then He won’t be able to fulfill all righteousness. If He can get Jesus to bow down and worship him, then the game is over. The devil wins and Jesus loses. But once again, Jesus’ words have a double meaning. “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Jesus tells the devil, “You shall not test ME. You shall worship ME.” The devil tries to get Jesus to avoid suffering. He tries to convince Jesus that He can avoid the beatings, mocking, scourging, and the cross. He tempts Jesus with the things that would appeal most to His human nature. It is the same way that the devil tests us today.

Our modern world is all about avoiding suffering and even avoiding the uncomfortable. Whereas fasting was a normal part of life in Jesus’ day, we can hardly imagine skipping a meal. Whereas meals came from hard labor in Jesus’ day, we are put out when the grocery store is out of our favorite type of ice cream. Whereas people all understood that your steak was once the cow you passed by in the field, today it is just another item at the store.

Gospel

Fasting exposes the lie. No, you don’t need the chocolate cake. You need Christ and His word. No, you don’t need the excesses of this world. You need Christ and the treasures of heaven. No, you don’t need to bow down and worship whatever false gods have captured your imagination. You need Christ, the one and only true God.

Fasting exposes the lie. When fasting, everything gets stripped away. It doesn’t leave you weaker. It leaves you stronger. As we watch the Winter Olympics we are bombarded with images of peak physical form. These athletes have trained for decades and disciplined themselves to achieve all for the possibility of becoming an Olympic Champion. Jesus at the end of a 40 day fast is not the first picture to enter our minds when we think of someone at their peak. But that is what we see in Christ today. At this point He is 100% dependent on His Father. He is 100% fully God and fully man. He stands in our place for the forgiveness of sins.

There is one other place in the Scriptures when we see Christ at His peak. It isn’t at his transfiguration. It isn’t as He flips the tables in the temple. It isn’t when he heals the sick, makes the deaf hear, makes the lame leap like deer, or even at His baptism. We see Christ at His peak on the cross.

Christ fasted for you. He emptied Himself for you. There was no inner dialogue in Jesus’ mind. There was no sin. Jesus was able to recognize the test that the devil set before Him. He was at the Garden of Eden as well. He heard the dialogue between the devil, Adam, and Eve. Jesus came to set things right. He came to fulfill all righteousness. He came to crush the head of the serpent. That is exactly what He does here. Christ sends him away with his tail between his legs. His testing has failed to stop Christ’s saving work.