©2003 Pastor Tom Miles
Matthew 4:1 It was the plan of Satan to cause Christ to sin thus destroying God's plan for man's redemption through Christ's sinless nature. But if we take note of this verse we see the Spirit led Christ to the test. It was God's plan to prove that HIS Son was sinless and worthy to be Savior of all mankind. From the beginning of time as man knows it Satan has been enemy to God trying to defeat Him at every turn but has failed and will always fail because God is above all!
Matthew 4:2 We see here a comparison to Old Testament reference of Moses and Elijah who each fasted the same length of time. This was considered a time of Spiritual adoration. During this time of fasting there was considerable meditation and prayer. Christ was preparing Himself for the task before Him and all that was on His mind at this time was the task set before Him by His Father and than once the fast and prayer was over Christ began to feel the hunger of his human body.
Matthew 4:3-4 Now we find Satan coming to Christ in this time of great hunger and physical weakness. Satan the greatest tempter of all comes to Christ possibly in the form of another human or possibly as an angel of light as described in 2 Corinthians 11:14. The actual manner of his appearance is not really known nor is it truthfully that important; but most importantly is the purpose in Satan's coming to Christ. Satan came to do one thing - create sin in Christ thus making Christ incapable of becoming the Savior of mankind. There are three temptations in the following verses from three to 11 the first being one of physical senses, the second one of superiority and vain glory, and the third one being of a material nature. Satan says, "If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." And Christ answers from Deuteronomy 8:3 saying that it is written "man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:5-7 Here we find something very important to take note of, Satan actually quotes Scripture from Psalm 91:11-12. Satan though leaves out a portion of Scripture that would not be beneficial to his ploy against Christ. It is to the benefit of Satan to misquote scripture and this he does very well to each of us every time he comes against us. Jesus answers Satan though with an accurate quote of Scripture saying that you shall not test the Lord your God! In other words even though God could save you from a jump from atop a 300 foot building we are not to put God to that test just to prove His power and majesty.
Matthew 4:8-11 And now again Satan tempts Christ by taking Him to atop another high point and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and says he will give them to Him if He will fall down to worship him. Now Satan as the ruler of this world had the power to give Christ all the kingdoms of the world but Christ knew the scriptures and knew the Father and loved the Father more than anything in the entire universe and said unto Satan, be gone for it is written that you shall worship the Lord God only and serve Him only! And than defeated Satan left and ministering angels came to Christ to meet His needs.
Matthew 4:12-13 We must realize here that Jesus did not immediately take this journey after His temptation but that He first traveled from Judea to Galilee (John 1:43 and 2:1) and then back to Judea to celebrate the Passover at Jerusalem (John 2:13) and according to John 3:22-23 Jesus was baptizing in Judea while John was baptizing in Enon. John was not in captivity but soon the Pharisees became very offended and put John in prison and Jesus then journeyed to Galilee (John 4:1 and Mark 1:14).
Matthew 4:14-16 The prophet spoken of here is Isaiah and the text quoted from comes from Isaiah 9:1-2. Matthew says, "Thus was fulfilled" speaking of the prophecy given in Isaiah. Galilee of the Gentiles is reference to the land beyond Jordan inhabited by the Gentiles or heathens. And saw a great light is symbolic of the presence and teaching of Christ who is the light drawing men and women out from the darkness. Christ did not search out the rich and famous, instead He drew to Him the poorest, neediest, and vilest of creation and gave to, offered to, everyone salvation.
Matthew 4:17 From that time which probably means from the time when Christ was in Capernaum He began to publicly preach proclaiming repentance. It seems that the message Jesus brings to the people is the same message that John the Baptist proclaimed and that is to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. At hand means it has not yet come but it is near, it is close and soon will be here. The message of Jesus as was John's message is one of preparation. John prepared the way for Christ and Christ prepares the way for eternal salvation and life in heaven with the Father.
Matthew 4:18-20 Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when He saw two men. One was Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen and they were casting a net into the water when Jesus came upon them. And Jesus called out to them and said, come, follow men and I will make you fishers of men. They were already fishers but now Christ was going to make them fishers of men. And we see that immediately Peter and Andrew dropped their nets and came after Jesus. They obeyed His voice at once. This is the way it should be with all Believers - we should obey the voice of God at once. There should be no delays, no excuses, simply stop what you're doing and come unto Him!
Matthew 4:21-22 And as they traveled a little farther they came upon three more men that were fishers, James, John and their father Zebedee. When Jesus came upon them they were mending their fishing nets and Jesus called out to them and said come follow me and immediately they obeyed and dropped their nets and followed Him.
Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee! Jesus in the beginning of his ministry gathered disciples and went about teaching in the local synagogues, which were basically local houses where worship took place. In every town there were local houses of worship some had only a few others the larger towns had many. And Jesus was preaching the gospel of the kingdom proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of heaven and He went about healing all types of sickness and disease. Now it doesn't say some, it says all types, every thing, whatever the complaint it seems Jesus healed it or took care of it. And word went out to all the areas of this man going about doing good and healing all manner of disease and sickness. And the people came to Him with their sick and ill wanting to be healed and ministered to by this miracle - making teacher. Jesus also healed those with divers diseases and disorders that caused them to be possessed or tormented by demons. He healed them all; one and all with no favoritism to any. This ministry created a great following and the people came in multitudes to see this man. And we see something in this first teaching ministry of Jesus also - we see that Jesus went where people were, He didn't wait for the people to come to Him, and He went to where they were. He also went to those that were doing things, fishing, working, and He called them to action. He went to the places of worship and called to them and ministered to them and He also went where the people were sick and diseased and needing a touch.
Father, let us also go to those needing a touch in their bodies, in their finances, in any area of their life and let us minister unto them from Your Word and give unto them the free gift of Salvation that Jesus, Your Dear Son, has so lovingly given to all mankind willing to accept it in Jesus name amen.
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