Day 4: Read Matthew 4
While the first three chapters talk about Jesus, in Matthew 4 we begin to hear more from Jesus. As he was tested in the wilderness, he battled every temptation with words from Scripture. After forty days and nights of fasting and relying on God alone to sustain him, the words of his Father ran through his mind and out of his mouth, declaring his allegiance to the One who gave him life.
As a Jewish man Jesus would have grown up studying the words of what we now call the Old Testament. He would have known the commandments, promises, poems, and history like the back of his hand, obediently following Deuteronomy 6:6-9, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
The history of Jesus’ faith this time was not a prophecy or promise. It was his own experience. He drew from the words he learned as a child, and his continued intimacy with God’s Word throughout his whole life.
So let’s make it simple. Because the gospel is simple.
Having recited these truths in Scripture as a response to the temptation before him, Jesus’ next move was to launch his ministry:
- He began to preach the same simple words John previously shared, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
- He called his first disciples with a simple statement, “Come, follow me.”
- He healed the sick and relieved the suffering of those who simply came to this man they had heard about.
The memories of his faith prepared him to launch his ministry. Today’s invitation is to remember your own faith history. Whether you are new to knowing Jesus or have grown up in a church pew, the history of your faith is a powerful tool for your future faith. Remember the ways you’ve experienced God working in your life.
Just like Jesus in the wilderness, remember what you’ve learned about God’s goodness. Your faith will grow not just from hearing new truths, but remembering old ones. God hasn’t changed since the beginning of time, even though the way we experience and understand him does. Discover the hope, love, and new life that’s woven throughout your own faith story!
