Last Sunday we began walking with Jesus, along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus offered Peter, Andrew, James, and John a remarkably simple invitation…
Follow me. And they started walking.
This Sunday, we’re going to discover that following Jesus doesn’t always lead where we might expect. Our journey takes us into the wilderness in Matthew 4:1–11. But before you read those verses, I invite you to back up a few verses and begin with Matthew 3:13–17, the baptism of Jesus.
Pay particular attention to the final words of chapter three…
“This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.”
And then we get to our scripture for this week.
Matthew doesn’t give us much space between the river and the wilderness. Jesus comes out of the water. The Spirit leads Him into the wilderness.
And eventually another voice speaks…
“Since you are God’s Son…”
That’s quite a transition.
“This is my Son…” followed by “Since you are God’s son…”
This week, as you spend some time with Matthew 3:13–4:11 this week, don’t rush too quickly through the three temptations. Instead, sit with the story.
What does the Father say about Jesus?
What does the tempter say?
What does Jesus say in response?
Why do you think Matthew places these two scenes; the baptism and the wilderness; right beside one another?
What might the wilderness reveal that the Jordan river does not?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin